Fading a 12-year detention, Ouda chose “the Islamic tolerance with non-Muslims” as the topic of his thesis

By Suleiman Besharat, IOL Correspondent

NABLUS, August 17 (IslamOnline.net) – Setting a new example of stiff resistance and determination against long-standing Israeli occupation, a Palestinian detainee got his doctorate degree on tolerance from his camp discussed through his cell phone.

Braving his detention, tough treatment and squalid conditions, Nasser Abdel-Gawwad Ouda, 38, presented his dissertation on “the Islamic tolerance with non-Muslims”, to three professors in the discussion room in Al-Nagah University in Nablus.

Five years after hard research and studious work from within his Magdo detention camp, in which his family played a great role, Ouda said he had chosen the topic of his thesis for enough logical reason.

“The situation of Muslims and conspiracies woven against them has made it necessary for us to prove to the world that all of such accusations are baseless,” Ouda said with a defiant tone.

For Nasser Eddin Al-Shaer, Dean of the Sharia (Islamic Law) university, the thesis comes at a delicate time “on which Muslims are facing smear campaigns”.

‘Long’ Journey   

For the family of Ouda, the journey to doctorate was not such an easy work, as obstacles were as many down the way to it.

“We followed every part of his thesis, through the Red Cross or visits rare at that time,” said Ouda’s wife.

Um Aseed said that things have even taken a much hard way, when “we are forced to write the thesis through my husband’s dictation over a cell phone from his detention camp”.

The family printed the thesis, and sent a copy to Ouda to review it.

Ouda was sentenced to 12 years, of which he spent 10 years since being detained in June 1993.

Nasser said the detention camp of Magadu turned into a beehive of activity as other detainees converged in his room for support.

“They gathered in my cell, all listening during the discussion, while others made me tea and coffee,” he boasted.

After getting the doctorate, all stood up in happiness, clapping.

“Really, patience is the key to success,” muttered one of the detainees, all through the cell phone.