RAJA HAMID RAŞID

 Iraq-ISIS took control of Mosul and Nineveh, two cities in Iraq, on June 10, 2014. Nur Hammadi Ibrahim (22), a resident of Nineveh, lost her sight completely because she could not receive treatment because of ISIS takeover in 2014. Although she lost her sight, she never gave up, receiving her bachelor's degree from the Department of Media at the University of Mosul.

‘ISIS did not allow us to go out’

“I had eye problems (myopia, cataracts) and maintained my life by wearing glasses. I was a student when ISIS attacked and took control of Mosul in 2014,” she told us. “I could not receive treatment for my eyes because ISIS did not allow women and girls to go out. Then, I lost my sight completely.”

‘I was 14 when I lost my sight’

When Nur Hammadi Ibrahim lost her sight, she was just 14. “Despite losing my vision, I started adapting to my new life. I did not want to depend on anyone so I decided to go to university,” she said, adding that her family and friends supported her when she studied at the University of Mosul.

Nur Hammadi Ibrahim calls on all young women and especially those with special needs to be strong, “because nothing in life is guaranteed. I did not expect that one day I would lose my sight. They should be ready for every situation. We must overcome all difficulties with hope, optimism and strong will.”

Nur Hammadi İbrahim prepared a radio show called “Nur” in Mosul when she was a university student. “For two years, I prepared and presented my radio show. At the show, I hosted people having success stories.”