Yazidi woman believed to be oldest living person in Iraq
SHINGAL, Iraq - A 137-year-old Yazidi woman is said to be the oldest person in Iraq. She lives in Shingal district with her son and calls on authorities to pay her a social security salary because she struggles to make ends meet.
Rawshe Qassim took part in a nationwide population census last week. Her family told Rudaw that the enumerators said she is the oldest living person in the country.
The results of the process are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Qassim’s remarkable life span has attracted media attention.
She was born in 1887, according to her national identification card.
She is relatively in good physical health, though she has lost her sight and suffers from poor memory.
She appealed to authorities to pay her a salary to make ends meet.
"I beg them to pay me a social security salary because I am afflicted. I will pay for my food and other needs as long as I am alive," she told Rudaw on Friday.
Her grandson, Tahsin Rasho, helps her with daily activities.
"They [Iraqi government] have not done anything for her. She used to receive a social security salary but they cut it," he said.
She has married twice, giving birth to her first child in 1917.
Rawshe Qassim took part in a nationwide population census last week. Her family told Rudaw that the enumerators said she is the oldest living person in the country.
The results of the process are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Qassim’s remarkable life span has attracted media attention.
She was born in 1887, according to her national identification card.
She is relatively in good physical health, though she has lost her sight and suffers from poor memory.
She appealed to authorities to pay her a salary to make ends meet.
"I beg them to pay me a social security salary because I am afflicted. I will pay for my food and other needs as long as I am alive," she told Rudaw on Friday.
Her grandson, Tahsin Rasho, helps her with daily activities.
"They [Iraqi government] have not done anything for her. She used to receive a social security salary but they cut it," he said.
She has married twice, giving birth to her first child in 1917.