Aseel Mousa, 23, lost more than her uncle the day Ahmed Bardawil was killed.
She lost a lifelong companion, a protector and a man she considered a second father.
The kindest thing he ever told Aseel, when she was upset or had a problem, was “your tears are precious to me, my dear.”
Aseel recalled that “he would cry too and say, ‘I miss you so much, my dear, it’s been two months since I’ve seen you. I wish you could come back to the north.’ But it was too late. By then, the borders were sealed.”
Their last moments together were during Aseel’s graduation celebrations on 6 October 2023, just after she had received a degree in English language and literature.
“He was so proud of me that day,” Aseel said. “He and [his wife] Haneen celebrated with me like it was their own joy. He was happier for me than I was. I’ll never forget that moment – seeing him so proud.”
Just one day later, everything changed. ,….more
