Birth: 1/1/1950 Death:21/8/2003
Born in Gaza’s Nuseirat RC in 1950 to refugee parents originally from Al-Jiyah (near Asqalan); joined the Teachers’ College in Ramallah where he majored in English Language; studied Engineering at Al-Mansura University in Cairo, graduating in 1975; worked as engineer for the Gaza municipality; founded the Palestinian Engineers’ Association and the Islamic Society in Gaza in 1976; continued his studies at Colorado State University, graduating with an MA in Engineering in 1982; became an instructor of Engineering at An-Najah National University in Nablus (began studying towards a PhD but then returned to teaching at An-Najah, which was in dire need of Engineering instructors); became the head of the Civil Engineering Dept. from 1983-88 (the university was closed down during the first Intifada from 1988); participated in the reform committee aimed at reconciliation between different Palestinian factions in 1986; worked as engineer with UNRWA from 1988-89, when he was imprisoned on 30 May for his role in establishing Hamas and serving as a deputy to Sheikh Ahmad Yassin; was released in April 1997; elected – on the Hamas slate – chairman of the Palestinian Engineers’ Association in 1996; became an instructor of Engineering at Gaza Islamic University; served as Hamas’ observer to the PLO Central Council; one of the leaders and spokespersons – especially with regard to the foreign press due to his good English skills – of Hamas’ political wing in Gaza, considered the movement’s leading pragmatist and a moderate voice; Hamas representative to the 2002 talks in Gaza of all major factions towards a unified Palestinian position as well as to the summer 2003 talks with PM Mahmoud Abbas on a (temporary) ceasefire agreement (hudna); Hamas’ liaison with PM Abbas; was assassinated by Israel on 21 August 2003 along with his two companions in an air missile strike at a car carrying him in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.
