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Aziz Abu Sarah        

National Geographic Explorer, Cultural Educator & Peace Activist

Aziz Abu Sarah is a peace builder, cultural educator, entrepreneur, author and international speaker.

Harnessing the transformative power of travel, in 2009 Sarah co-founded MEJDI Tours—originators of the Dual Narrative™ and a leader of responsible travel. Sarah’s educational and conflict resolution work throughout the world has earned him the titles of National Geographic Explorer and Ted Fellow. He has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Al-Quds, Haaretz, and has been published by National Geographic, CNN, TED, and Al Arabiya. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan each year since 2010.

His book, "Crossing Boundaries - A Traveler’s Guide To World Peace," was released in July 2020. Co-author of the 2018 publication, "Strangers, Neighbors, Friends: Muslim-Christian-Jewish Reflections on Compassion and Peace," Sarah continues to be at the forefront of peace and reconciliation efforts in conflict zones. Sarah has worked in 60 countries, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria, and the Balkans.

He has served as Executive Director at the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution, George Mason University and as the Chairman for the Parents Circle Family Forum representing the organization at international governmental organizations such as the European Parliament. He is the co-founder of InterAct International, a nonprofit advancing sustainability, education, and cross cultural connections.

Sarah has spoken at numerous international organizations, tourism conferences, corporations and universities, including TED, The United Nations, National Geographic, Nexus and the European Parliament. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East from the Institute of International Education, the European Parliament’s Silver Rose Award, the Eisenhower Medallion and the Eliav-Sartawi Award for his Middle Eastern Journalism. He won the Intercultural Innovation Award from the UN Alliance of Civilizations and the BMW Group. He was also recognized by former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon for his work in peace building.

Speech Topics

Religion

  • Interfaith Relations: Challenges and Solutions
  • Forging Social Justice at Home and Abroad
  • Islam: Religion of Peace or Violence?
  • Oh Brother Where Art Thou? How Christians, Jews, and Muslims Can Work Together
  • Facilitating Prayerful Conversations on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Strategies for Christian Leaders
  • An Introduction to Islamic Beliefs and Practices
  • Palestinian Perspectives on Peace in the Middle East
  • Bridging the Divide between Jews and Palestinians

Community and Workplace Relations

  • Creative Strategies for Improving Communication and Handling Conflict in the Workplace
  • Using Business as a Tool for Positive Social Change
  • Facilitating Constructive Conversations on Hot Topic Issues Like Race, Immigration, and Religion
  • Community Relations and Community Building in Troubled Times
  • Strategies and Considerations for Law Enforcement/Military Personnel Working in Volatile Communities

Education and Travel

  • Field Studies and Experiential Learning: Engaging Students in and beyond the Classroom
  • Storytelling as an Educational Tool
  • The Importance of Learning a Second Language
  • Tourism: Destructive or Constructive?
  • Building Global Citizens through Travel and Intercultural Exchange
  • Facilitating Constructive Conversations on Hot Topic Issues Like Race, Immigration, and Religion

Conflict and Global Issues

  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Stories from the Field
  • Can There be Peace in the Middle East?
  • Conflict Zones: Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, and Beyond
  • Islam: Religion of Peace or Violence?
  • Growing up Palestinian in Israel: One Man’s Journey from Revenge to Reconciliation
  • Making a Difference? The Role of NGOs, Social Enterprises, and Corporations in Communities
  • Stopping Radicalization
  • Conflict 101: Driven by Economics, Politics, or Ideology?
  • ISIS and the Caliphate: Islamic Perspectives
  • The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Stories from the Field

News

Aziz Abu Sarah: How Can Tourism Promote Peace In The Middle ...
Social entrepreneur and educator Aziz Abu Sarah describes how he came to lead tours in which Jews, Muslims and Christians cross contested borders to spend ...
Aziz Abu Sarah | Cultural Educator
In a place where struggles over land have fueled hatred and distrust for centuries, Aziz Abu Sarah is finding common ground. His effort to build relationships, not walls, amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is especially amazing in light of his own past...
A Palestinian's journey from stone-throwing to conflict resolution ...
Aziz Abu Sarah became embittered as a kid during the first Palestinian intifada but had an extraordinary transformation – in Hebrew class.

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