Mahmoud Abu-Duff (Maḥmūd Abū Duff) (محمود أبو دف), age 62, was a teacher and administrator dedicated to improving the educational experience of Palestinian children. He was a Professor of Education and former Dean of the College of Education at the Islamic University of Gaza, as well as Chief Editor of the Journal of Education and Psychological Studies published by the university.
Dr. Abu-Duff received his BA in Education (Arabic Language) from the Islamic University in Gaza in 1985. He was awarded an MA in Fundamentals of Education from the University of Omdurman, Sudan, in 1989. He earned his PhD in Education from the same university in 1993.
Dr. Abu Duff was an active researcher, who attended conferences and published papers in the field of education, focusing on Islamic education and teacher training. In addition to a number of academic articles published in Palestine, Egypt, and Jordan, he authored a book, Introduction to Islamic Education, which was published by Afaq Printing and Publishing House, Gaza, in 2002. He also edited An Introduction to Islamic Education: The Manifestation of Negative Change in Contemporary Muslim Reality According to the Prophet’s sunnah, and How to Address it in Light of Islamic Education, published by the School of Education, the Islamic University of Gaza in 2004.
When Dr. Abu-Duff served as chair for the conference on “The Palestinian Child between the Challenges of Reality and Future Aspirations” in 2005, he welcomed the participants by speaking to the necessity of providing a quality education for Palestinian children that can guide them toward a brighter future. He shared his vision for the College of Education as one of contributing to the education of a Palestinian individual based on faith, knowledge, and the skills capable of keeping pace with development, facing challenges, and participating effectively in building their society.
Dr. Abu-Duff was killedalongside his wife, Dr. Khitam al-Wasifi, when their home in al-Zaytun, Gaza City was hit by an Israeli missile strike on 1 December 2023.
