Blind Iraqi student rises above it all to excel at university

NINEVEH — Bassam Nashwan walks confidently alongside his classmates in front of the Department of Quranic Sciences and Islamic Education at the University of Mosul. Born blind, the young man has faced not only the challenges of his disability but also the hardships of life in Iraq, compounded by the turbulent conditions of his city before and during the war on ISIS. Yet, he has risen above it all, ranking first in his class during his freshman year.

In addition to excelling academically, Nashwan tutors his peers, sharing his knowledge and dedication. He attributes his success to the unwavering support of his mother, his grandfather Hamid, and his professors. Now in his second year, Nashwan remains determined to achieve results as outstanding as those of the previous year.

Nashwan told 964media, “I consider myself an example of perseverance and determination because I have faced many material and emotional challenges since the beginning of my studies. With the support of my grandfather, Hamid, who encouraged me both morally and financially, and my professors, I was able to rank first in my class during my freshman year.”

Nashwan previously studied at the Al-Noor Institute for the Blind in Mosul, where his passion for learning shone despite significant challenges, including security concerns before 2014. “Commuting was difficult due to the distance between my home near the Mosul Dam and the city, but I persevered. Now, I am one of the students at the Quranic Recitation Program in Mosul, and I firmly believe that success comes from determination — nothing is impossible with strong will.”

Dr. Mudhar Mahmoud, head of the Quranic Sciences Department, described Nashwan’s enrollment as a first for the program. “We handled his situation with special care due to his condition, but Nashwan’s cheerful personality never made us feel there was anything different about him. Writing exams posed a challenge, but Noor Tariq, a teaching assistant from another specialty, took on the task of transcribing his answers.”

Mahmoud praised Nashwan’s strong relationships with both students and faculty, describing him as “diligent, committed, and deeply respected by everyone around him.”.

Hassan Mohammed, one of Nashwan’s classmates, shared his admiration: “We met Nashwan at university, and he is a true example of excellence born out of struggle. He topped his class in sixth grade with an average of 93%. Thanks to arrangements made by the university, we now have a vehicle pass to ensure he can be transported comfortably to and from campus.”

Mohammed added, “Bassam tutors us daily because of his academic brilliance. We also spend time together at the student center and library — he’s not just a classmate but a dear friend.”