A lot on his mind: Bethlehem student takes exam after military search

Published: 2004-05-19

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Twenty-one-year old Bethlehem University senior Tareq took the military break-in and search of his house in stride. During the night he was trying to calm his younger siblings, and the next morning he was registering for next semester's classes and taking an exam in his Arabic class. The Israeli army periodically makes forays into Palestinian villages and cities in search of wanted men, smuggled weapons and explosives. Though for the outside world it may sound disturbing, Tareq's story is not unique for the student body at Catholic-run Bethlehem University, said university administrators. Many students undergo similar hardships daily in order to study and reach their classes, they said. "The miracle is ... that (Tareq) was calmly telling me the story as he waited in line to register for another semester of classes. (This is) yet another reminder to me of the value of the witness and hope that education can be and ... is," said Christian Brother Jack Curran, vice president for development at the university. Tareq asked that his real name not be used.

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