Watch: Heartfelt moment as mother accepts late daughter’s PhD in Sharjah

Sharjah: In a deeply moving ceremony, a mother walked the graduation stage to accept a PhD degree on behalf of her late daughter, Nadia Ayman Nassif. What was meant to be a joyful milestone became a powerful tribute to a life cut short.

Nadia, 29, a dedicated PhD student at the University of Sharjah, tragically passed away in a car accident on May 3 while traveling from Sharjah to Fujairah—just weeks before her graduation. Her family had looked forward to the proud moment of seeing her receive her degree. Instead, her mother took that walk for her.

On June 13, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University, personally handed the degree to Nadia’s mother, Farah Al Husni. As Nadia’s name was called, the auditorium fell silent, then rose in a standing ovation—a moment filled with both sorrow and honour.

“I felt her with me,” her mother, Farah, told Gulf News. “Every step I took, it felt like she was walking. It was her moment.”

Soft prayers filled the hall: “May God have mercy on her,” whispered voices said. In that shared silence, it felt as though Nadia was present—not just in spirit, but in every heart in the room.

“She received God’s certificate before this one,” her mother said with calm faith, believing that Nadia was blessed with a greater reward beyond this world. Her family sees her as a martyr and finds comfort in that belief.

After the ceremony, family members gathered around Nadia’s mother, their emotions a mix of pride and grief. But when she saw Nadia’s young son, Hadi—just three and a half years old—her heart swelled. Looking into his eyes, she softly whispered, “Nadia.”

“He is her legacy,” she said. “She left us her son. He is our pride, our future, and the part of her that will always live on.”

Though Nadia’s life was brief, her graduation became a moment of collective remembrance. Professors, students, leaders, and loved ones came together to honour her memory.

“This day was written for her,” her mother said. “God wanted her to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.”

Nadia’s family continues to hold her close in their hearts. They see her in her son’s smile and feel her presence in the prayers she continues to inspire.

Nadia’s birthday was on April 30. She celebrated with her husband on May 1 and with her family on May 2. The accident happened on May 3. Her family, originally from Syria, has lived in Fujairah since 1995.