HANIM BEĞTAŞ

From Motherhood to University: A Life on the Path of Wisdom

There is no age limit to learning. The timeless saying, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” expresses this truth with remarkable eloquence. For education is the greatest asset of any society. It is not merely the acquisition of knowledge; it is the awakening of one's inner light, the broadening of families' horizons, and the illumination of society's future.

One person whose life brings this truth vividly to light is Hanım Beğtaş, life partner of Malfono Yusuf Beğtaş and mother of five children.

Hanım Beğtaş was born in 1972 in Eştrako (Ortaca), following her family's migration from Keferze (Altıntaş), a village in the Midyat district. She completed her primary education in Midyat, where she also grew up. After all five of her children had completed their undergraduate studies, she, too, resolved to continue her own educational journey. With determination and perseverance, she completed her middle and high school education through external examinations.

For 35 years, this devoted woman has embraced the responsibilities of motherhood with love and selflessness, while keeping the desire to learn, which has never faded in her heart, alive. Through discipline and determination, she achieved a remarkable result in the university entrance examination she took two years ago, earning a place in the Department of Syriac Language and Literature at Mardin Artuklu University. She is currently continuing her studies as a second-year student.

Her story is a living embodiment of the familiar saying, “It is never too late to learn.” While raising her children, Hanım Beğtaş never abandoned her own dreams. Through her example, she demonstrates that the passion for learning is one of the most precious gifts that nurtures the inner light of the human being. As an old proverb reminds us: “Knowledge is more precious than gold; for gold may be lost, but knowledge elevates the human spirit.”

Hanım Beğtaş's educational journey gives tangible expression to this wisdom. All five of the children she raised with a deep sense of responsibility towards her family and society have successfully completed their university education. Most have entered professional life and begun contributing to society, while one continues further studies. Her role as a mother thus represents not only a contribution to her family, but also a lasting expression of dedication, love and guidance that extends into the wider community.

The field she has chosen to study is not merely another academic step; it is also a journey that nourishes the soul and preserves collective memory. With its thousands of years of historical depth and intellectual richness, Syriac Language and Literature offers one of the most valuable means of carrying the light of an ancient culture into the future. Her choice therefore goes beyond an individual ambition; it expresses a profound affection for an identity, a language and a shared cultural memory. Moreover, it represents a quiet yet powerful companionship in the cultural and intellectual endeavours of her husband, Malfono Yusuf Beğtaş, who has devoted many years to serving the world of thought and culture both in Türkiye and throughout the diaspora. In this respect, her educational journey also serves as a meaningful complement to his cultural efforts.

The picture that emerges is a powerful example not only for mothers and women, but indeed for everyone. For true achievement lies in pursuing one's goals without giving up and in keeping the light within oneself alive.

Mor Ephrem (306–373) is quoted as saying: “The true strength of the human being lies in the ability to learn and to love.”

Hanım Beğtaş's determination represents not merely an individual aspiration, but also the will of a family, a community and an ancient culture to carry its heritage into the future. While fulfilling the responsibilities of motherhood with love and devotion, she has embarked on a new educational journey. This is a tangible expression of perseverance, determination and the strength of human will.

The courage and determination demonstrated by Hanım Beğtaş are particularly meaningful because they offer an inspiring example to both Muslim and Christian women in the Mardin region. Inspired by her example, some Muslim women have also embarked on university education. Having attracted considerable attention in both national and local media throughout Türkiye, this achievement, we sincerely believe, will continue to bring new values to both the family and society.

KARYO HLİSO