An 83-year-old woman in Turkey has managed to learn reading the Quran despite her old age.
Kolthum Aktash, who lives in Sahinbey, Gaziantep province in south-central Turkey, was deprived of learning the Quran in her early years because of social hurdles.
But she started learning the Quran three years ago and is now able to read the Holy Book, according to Anadolu news agency.
Aktash said she is very happy to have completed learning the Quran concurrent with the holy month of Ramadan.
Thanking her teachers and others who helped them in the process, she said reading the Holy Book brings her calm and peace.
She hoped that her success will inspire the youth to learn the Quran.
Ahmet Celik, the Mufti of Gaziantep Province, hailed the old woman’s success, saying she can be a role model for the youth.
He also noted that people in Turkey have problems learning to read the Quran for not being familiar with the Arabic alphabet.
Celik said Quranic centers and the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) should play a role in resolving the issue.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, changed the Turkish alphabet from Arabic to Latin in the early 20th century.