19-Year-Old Palestinian Woman Memorises Entire Quran While Imprisoned in Israel

Despite harsh prison conditions, restrictions and numerous challenges, a 19-year-old Palestinian woman, Jana Ihsan Abu Warda, has memorised all 30 parts of the Holy Quran while in Israeli detention.

She has also reportedly recited the entire Quran from memory in a single sitting during a court hearing, astonishing those present.

According to Palestinian prisoner news outlet Prisoners Media Office (Maktab al-Ilam al-Asra), Jana Abu Warda was arrested by Israeli forces on February 12, 2026. She is currently being held at Damon Prison in Israel.

Before her arrest, Jana had memorised approximately 20 parts of the Quran. During her imprisonment, she completed memorising the remaining portions, becoming a Hafiza (a woman who has memorised the entire Quran).

During a recent court hearing, she reportedly told those present that she had recited the entire Quran from memory in one sitting.

Jana has not limited herself to her own religious studies. She is also teaching the Quran and Hadith to other female prisoners, encouraging religious learning and the pursuit of knowledge among fellow inmates.

Originally from the Hebron area of Palestine, Jana is a student of Shariah studies at Zahiriya College. She is also interested in writing and poetry.

After completing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue higher education in Quranic exegesis (Tafsir), Arabic grammar and Hadith. Her ambition is to make a significant contribution to Islamic education in the future.

However, life in prison has been far from easy. According to the prisoner rights organisation, Palestinian women detained at Damon Prison face food shortages, harsh detention conditions and various restrictions.

Jana has reportedly also faced humiliating searches during her arrest and transfers between prisons.

Her imprisonment has further separated her from her family. She reportedly received news of the deaths of close family members only after considerable delays due to restrictions on communication and family visits.

Despite these difficulties, Jana's achievement has become an example of religious dedication and Quranic learning among Palestinian prisoners.

By continuing her studies and teaching fellow inmates, she has helped foster an environment of learning and religious education even behind prison walls.

Although imprisonment has restricted her freedom, it has not diminished her determination to pursue knowledge and religious education.