JEDDAH – To achieve something great in life requires indomitable spirit, unflinching desire and valiant efforts. These traits along with some assistance from her brother helped Salma Nasser, who had always dreamt of completing her university education, resist immense family pressure to get married as soon as she graduated from intermediate school. Salma's eldest brother has the same attitude as her late father – that is, not to allow girls to complete their education but to marry them off just after they graduate from intermediate school. Salma slipped into a coma for several days because she considered her school certificate a death warrant. Salma encountered outdated and archaic traditions of not allowing girls to get an education. Overcoming all odds, Salma managed to reach the second year of university while facing several problems with her family. Unfortunately for her, Salma's brother who always stood by her side had to travel abroad after obtaining a scholarship. Salma completed her primary school with excellent grades but her father died when she was at the intermediate level. Later her eldest brother assumed responsibility for the family and began creating problems for her. Salma said: “Despite this, I continued my education. At this point, my eldest brother and my third sister got married.” Salma wished time would stop so she would not be forced to abandon her education like her sisters who were married soon after completing their intermediate. Luckily, her third brother was made of different stuff. He continued to support Salma even after a bitter dispute with the eldest brother. Matters got worse when immediately after getting her intermediate results Salma had a nervous breakdown and was admitted to hospital. After much persuasion, Salma's eldest brother agreed to let her continue her education provided she helped her mother with household chores. “That was a rare window of hope for me,” Salma said. With her brother's help, Salma is now a third-year university student specializing in Arabic language. But now that her kind and loving brother has gone abroad, Salma lives in constant fear that her eldest brother will again interfere and stop her from completing her studies.
