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Shireen Abu Aqleh Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 14, 2026 • 3 min read

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Quick Info

Date of birth3 January 1971

Age51 (at time of death)

BirthplaceEast Jerusalem

ProfessionJournalist

NationalityPalestinian-American

Marital statusUnmarried (at time of death)

Shireen Abu Aqleh Biography

Shireen Abu Aqleh was a Palestinian-American journalist known for more than 25 years of reporting for Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language channel. Born in East J​

Early life and background
Shireen Abu Aqleh was born on 3 January 1971 in East Jerusalem. She grew up in a Christian family and completed her schooling at Rosary Sisters’ High School in Jerusalem. She began higher studies in architecture at Jordan University of Science and Technology before changing direction and earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She later attended Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan.

Career
Abu Aqleh’s journalism career spanned decades. She began working in broadcast media in the 1990s and in 1997 became a reporter for the Arabic-language channel Al Jazeera, a role that made her a familiar face across the region. Earlier in her career she helped establish the Voice of Palestine (PBC) radio channel in 1994 and worked there as a correspondent and presenter. In addition to reporting, she spent time in academia, serving as a professor at Birzeit University in 2004.

Throughout her career she covered major events affecting Palestinians and the wider region. Her work earned recognition: in 2001 she was honored by the Dubai Press Club as a Media Personality of the Year, and in 2004 she received a medal from the Libyan president for her coverage of the second Palestinian Intifada.

Public profile
Abu Aqleh was a well-known on-screen journalist who regularly reported from the field. She was recognized for wearing protective gear while reporting, including a helmet and a vest marked “press.” Off camera she was known to be an animal lover and shared images of pets on social media. She once spoke about wishing for more time to read, play piano and travel, and about having postponed aspects of a private life because of her career commitments.

Death and aftermath
On 11 May 2022 Shireen Abu Aqleh was shot and died at age 51. She was taken to Ibn Sina Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. The shooting occurred during a military raid that was being reported on at the time. Accounts of who fired the fatal shot differed: some colleagues and witnesses alleged she had been shot by Israeli forces while covering the raid, while the Israeli military said armed Palestinians were firing in the area and that their operation had not targeted journalists. Her death was reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry and drew public statements and reactions from officials.

Legacy
Abu Aqleh’s long career with Al Jazeera and her earlier work in Palestinian media made her a prominent figure in Arabic-language journalism. Her reporting from conflict areas, the recognition she received from media organizations, and her role as a voice from Palestinian communities are central elements of how she is remembered.

Latest updates
Shireen Abu Aqleh’s death on 11 May 2022 and the differing accounts surrounding the shooting were widely reported in the days that followed. Israeli officials issued statements placing responsibility on armed militants firing in the area, while colleagues and some witnesses disputed that account.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Shireen Abu Aqleh, send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded

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Recent Work

Reporter, Al Jazeera (Arabic-language)

Field reporter and correspondent for more than twenty-five years with Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language channel.

1997–2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Co-founded Voice of Palestine (PBC) radio channel in 1994 and worked as correspondent and presenter.
  2. Longtime reporter for Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language channel starting in 1997.
  3. Awarded Media Personality of the Year by Dubai Press Club in 2001.
  4. Presented a medal by the Libyan president in 2004 for coverage of the second Palestinian Intifada.
  5. Served as a professor at Birzeit University in 2004.
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Shireen Abu Aqleh born?

Shireen Abu Aqleh was born on 3 January 1971.

What is Shireen Abu Aqleh known for?

Shireen Abu Aqleh is known for journalist.

What is Shireen Abu Aqleh’s marital status?

Shireen Abu Aqleh's marital status is listed as Unmarried (at time of death).