MOHAMMED Sulaiman is watching the clock as he hopes his pregnant wife Laila will be allowed to leave the Gaza strip in Palestine to join him in Adelaide.

Despite having a visa and health insurance, she has not been allowed through the border crossing for nearly six months to get to Jordan to fly to Australia.

She is now 31 weeks pregnant — while policies vary between airlines, many restrict flying at 36 weeks.

Mr Sulaiman, 25, won a scholarship to do his PhD at UniSA’s International Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding.

He holds a Masters from the London School of Economics and Social Science in human rights and previously worked with non government aid agencies and as a journalist in Gaza.

His own departure was delayed by four months because of obstacles at the border crossing and he arrived in Adelaide eight weeks ago to begin three years of study.

“We sold our furniture and gave up our apartment with the expectation we would be coming to Adelaide, but were not allowed to cross the border,” Mr Sulaiman said.

“When they eventually allowed me through they would not allow my wife even though she had a visa. I felt I had to go as I was already so late and was hoping my wife could follow shortly after, but it has now been eight weeks.

“This is our first child. I didn’t think it would take this long — she is stuck there and is now 31 weeks pregnant and I am desperately hoping she is allowed through so she can get here before the birth.

“She is a schoolteacher with a degree in English, she poses no threat to anyone.

“I am now losing hope.”

Mr Sulaiman said if he returned to Gaza for the birth he would have to sacrifice his PhD study, as it had already been extended to account for his delay in arrival and he doubted he would be allowed back out through the border without delay if he returned.

The Israel Embassy did not return a request for comment on the situation.