Abdul Aziz Said Memorial

We are sad to report the news that Professor Abdul Aziz Said died on January 22, 2021. He was well loved and respected for his decades of service and leadership.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to peace and nonviolence, we would like to post your tributes and stories about Professor Abdul Aziz Said here on the Nonviolence International website.

Let us celebrate the great person he was and work to continue his proud legacy. Abdul Aziz Said co-founded Nonviolence International. He was a world-renowned educator, a Syrian-born writer and professor of international relations for 60 years at American University, where he was the founding director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution department at the School of International Service.

In the coming days, we will posting tributes from those who knew and loved him best. Please check back on this page for updates. For now, please watch this touching tribute from his dear friend and our founder, Mubarak Awad. See also a short powerful video from Professor Abdul Aziz Said himself celebrating our 30th anniversary.

We know he touched many lives and welcome your reflections on a life well lived. Please send them to us here.

To see a list of his publications and more, please visit: https://www.american.edu/sis/faculty/asaid.cfm

In recognition of the many lifelong contributions to peace by Professor Abdul Aziz Said, Nonviolence International has started a new program under which interns will receive stipends for their service. This financial aid is provided to perpetuate the legacy of Abdul Aziz Said, who co-founded Nonviolence International in 1989 and devoted his life to inspiring students to promote peace and global understanding. In particular, this scholarship will ensure that international students and those of modest financial means will have an equal opportunity to gain professional experience.

https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/donate_scholarship_fund

You can also make contributions to support all the work of NVI at: https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/donate

Professor Abdul Aziz Saՙid taught for many decades since 1956 at The American University in the School of International Service, where he helped ensure a Middle Eastern presence at AU with a focus on Arab issues, and (since 1995) on Peace & Conflict Resolution studies. In his later years Professor Saՙid increasingly focused on Islamic peace studies, while his engaged presence and informed dedication as an educator and advisor inspired many. I worked with him for several years in the late 1990’s when Saՙid was the first holder of the M. Said Farsi Chair of Islamic Peace, and founded AU’s Center for Global Peace. Saՙid maintained a life-long concern with Sufi ideas, bringing to bear his cross-cultural sensitivity as a Syrian Orthodox Christian. His lasting legacy was facilitating the promotion of Peace Studies within the American academy.

Professor Karim Douglas Crow

Quick recollection of Prof Said: I remember when he insisted on being the one to bestow an honorary degree on then Israeli PM Rabin at the Kennedy Center in March 1977. It was also the same day of the Hanafi's attacks at three locations in DC, which caused Rabin to leave right after the ceremony. Prof Said was very gracious and the significance of his words and presence were not lost on Rabin and the audience. I took classes on the Middle East and US relations with the USSR/E. Europe, graduated in 1978, did a Masters in Jerusalem, then entered the US Foreign Service in 1987. I came back to AU once or twice and visited with the Professor, who remembered me and sat me down in his office for a chat. Only fond memories of him. He inspired me for years to come. I retired this past year after 38 years at the State Department. As an aside, here is a link to an article I wrote about my time at Camp David 1978, as an intern soon after graduation: http://www.afsa.org/being-there-camp-david-1978.

Respectfully, Frank J. Finver (Class of 1978)

It seems fitting that Abdul Aziz Said should have passed at a time when our nation cries out for an elusive unity.

Professor Said affected thousands as an educator. For six decades, year after year, thousands of students passed through American University’s School of International Service under his watch. He was equally well known as an advocate of peace, particularly but by no means solely in the Middle East. He was the founding director of AU’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution program. He was an advisor to both the Bush and Carter Administration and a frequent formal and informal envoy to the region.

But his influence also extended in a third arc: as a spiritual guide. Professor Said emerged from a Syrian Orthodox Christian family and the Sufi traditions in his native land; his “students” were typically touched in origin by one or more of the three Abrahamic faiths--Jewish, Christian, Muslim—though some had also followed Buddhist or other Eastern traditions and among them were even “Nones”. Perhaps central to his teaching was the concept of tawhid, that the Universe is One and its corollary, that we are all connected.

I first met Abdul Aziz at his office at American University on a winter solstice in the early 80s. He told me the following story. The student asked the teacher, where shall I go to find God. The teacher pointed to what appeared to be little more than a dot on a distant horizon. So the student set out and after months of travel saw the dot gradually growing into a vast, steep mountain. He thought he would never be able to climb the escarpment. But then he grew closer and saw that there was a path curving across the slope . Encouraged, he travelled further. When he arrived near the base of the mountain, he saw that there were in fact many paths going up the mountain and many people rising along the paths. The student went further and began to climb the mountain but as he came within sight of the top, he suddenly realized--together with the others who had climbed so far-- that there was in fact no mountain.

And so it is that I learned that in the search for our deepest identity, we find the unity that connects us all.

May the Peace and Unity of his Being remain and inspire us in the difficult months ahead.

Bill Espinosa

Last weekend my advisor in graduate school, Dr. Abul Aziz Said, died after a long life and a rich lifetime of service. It's impossible to list all the contributions this great human being made over the course of his lifetime, but I can say he was one of those whose support and friendship I will never forget. In 1988 I had been accepted to two masters programs in international affairs--one at Syracuse University and one at American University. I knew no one at either school, but Abdul Aziz was the director of the AU program in peace and conflict resolution and I wanted to go there, so I made an appointment, drove to Washington, DC and went to plead my case.

I told him my situation and that I preferred the AU program but I wasn't getting a large enough student loan package to manage it, and I wondered if he had any idea what I could do to change the financial aide offer. He heard me out and we had tea. He asked me about my family, how I had grown up, and why I went to study in India, making it obvious that he had read my application essay in detail. Then he asked what I wanted to do with a masters degree, and I said I wasn't sure, but whatever happened I wanted to be useful and contribute to something larger than myself. He nodded and got on the phone. The next thing I know, the dean of the School for International Service was in the room. Abdul Aziz tells him, "I'd like you to meet my graduate teaching assistant for the fall." And the rest is history.

He was a great soul and a great educator. Thank you, Abdul Aziz. I will miss you.

Laura Barnitz

I am deeply sad to learn of my professor’s passing. He was a mentor, collaborator, and friend. I am discovering more and more layers of the influence he had on my life and on who I am. I learned so much from him. And I learned in a space of love. Professor Said loved everyone, without exception. His love was a powerful, enriching love. He built people up, celebrated them, and welcomed them being their true selves. I was his teaching assistant, and saw how he empowered the leadership of everyone around him. Yes, there was much that was magical about him. He had the magic of not quickly accepting things that are unacceptable. He created magic by creating change. Thousands of his students have a model for how to move through the world as an empowered agent of change, and a loving leader of humans.

Barry Saiff

Latest posts

250 Calories Solidarity Fast for Gaza

Nonviolence International is honored to announce our co-sponsorship of the 40 Days and Escalate: Veterans & Allies Fast for Gaza, a worldwide fasting campaign organized by Veterans For Peace, with coordination support from Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA). This powerful act of nonviolent resistance aims to draw urgent attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and to demand immediate action from the U.S. and all governments.

On May 22, we begin our 40 day fasting while demanding: a resumption of humanitarian aid, under UN authority, to Gaza and that the U.S. and other governments stop arming Israel NOW!

Please join the solidarity fast that will take place from May 22nd until June 30th.

A 250-calorie-per-day regimen—mirroring the caloric intake of many Gazans under the ongoing blockade.
Fasting can be done in an individual or in a relay (chain) fast, where groups of individuals commit to fasting in succession to cover the 40-day period.
Do as little as 1 day (even if you can’t recruit a chain replacement) or as many as 40.

A Community Fast at the United Nations in New York City.

Some fasters will reside in community housing near the United Nations headquarters. This group will serve as a public face of the campaign, engaging in daily visibility actions and media outreach.

Escalation Plans

Should the campaign's demands remain unmet by June 30, organizers plan to escalate actions, including:

In-person demonstrations in New York City alongside centralized fasters.
Potential coordinated actions in other places around the world

How to Get Involved

Nonviolence International invites individuals and organizations to join this vital campaign:

Sign Up to Fast: Visit FOSNA's official campaign page for more information and to register your participation.
Become a Co-Sponsor: Organizations can express their support by co-sponsoring the campaign.
Spread the Word: Utilize social media and community networks to raise awareness. All participants are expected to amplify their involvement through social media, community events, and other forms of public engagement.

By standing in solidarity with the people of Gaza through this fast, we reaffirm our commitment to nonviolent action and the pursuit of justice. To gain a further understanding of how your individual fasting can make a difference, read NVI’s booklet on hunger strikes and fasts as types of nonviolent action here.

Rebuilding Syria: Hope and Resilience beyond Sanctions

Hope, Resilience, and Civil Society in Syria

For more than 54 years, Syrians have endured immense hardships brought about by successive dictators: Hafez Al-Assad, followed by his son Bashar. We Syrians have navigated conflict, displacement, and economic uncertainty. Yet amid these challenges, the unwavering spirit of our people has remained unshaken. Syrians have maintained the hope for a normal life - one defined by peace, stability, and civic engagement - and this hope continues to grow.

Embracing Stability and Normalcy

Syrians are engaging in super-human efforts to rebuild communities, infrastructure, and social trust. While there remain significant challenges, families are working to reclaim daily routines, open businesses, and revive local traditions. Small victories - like the reopening of schools, open markets, and artists returning to their craft - are signs of resilience and determination.

A normal life for Syrians means fostering economic recovery, rebuilding infrastructure, ensuring access to education and healthcare, and creating spaces for open dialogue and civil peace. The international community has played a critical role in supporting these initiatives. In many cases, grants from the international community have helped to ensure that Syrians have the tools to rebuild and thrive.

The Impact of Lifting Sanctions

A significant shift in Syria’s path to recovery came yesterday, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced the removal of all U.S. sanctions on Syria. The sanctions, originally imposed due to Syria’s designation as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” in 1979, had long contributed to economic hardship for ordinary Syrians. The additional imposition of economic sanctions on Bashar Al-Assad’s regime virtually crippled Syria. With the Assad regime’s ouster in December 2024, Syria’s new leadership, under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has sought to reintegrate the country into the global economy.

President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions was framed as an opportunity for Syria to rebuild and “achieve greatness.” In Syria, celebrations erupted following the announcement. As usual, Syrian humor came to the forefront, with social media posts congratulating fellow Syrians “because now we can use Google Maps and don’t need to ask Damascenes for directions.” We now have a chance to restore financial stability, attract foreign investment, and revitalize industries that have been crippled by years of restrictions, not to mention regime corruption.

Syria’s Designation as a Sponsor of Terrorism

Despite the lifting of sanctions, Syria remains on the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. This designation has historically led to restrictions on foreign aid, arms sales, and economic transactions. The ousted Assad regime’s long-standing ties to militant groups, including Hezbollah and various regional factions, contributed to Syria’s continued presence on the list. The new Syrian government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa has made efforts to distance itself from past affiliations, seeking international legitimacy and cooperation.

The Power of Nonviolence

Nonviolent resistance and civic engagement have long been powerful forces in shaping Syria’s future. From the beginning of the revolution in 2011, activists advocated for nonviolence as a means of effecting change. Local activists, journalists, and educators remain committed to fostering dialogue, advocating for human rights, and strengthening civil society. Across Syrian communities, grassroots movements emphasize reconciliation, justice, and unity over division.

Our dedication to nonviolence is evident in our efforts to rebuild trust among communities, support vulnerable populations, and create new opportunities for collaboration. As expatriates and residents in Syria, we are creating peacebuilding initiatives, cultural exchanges, and youth programs to drive constructive engagement and enable our fellow Syrians to forge a path forward while avoiding armed conflict.

The Role of Civil Society

Civil society organizations in Syria continue to play a critical role in addressing social and economic challenges. From humanitarian aid groups to local development initiatives, these organizations offer essential services while fostering a sense of community. Syrians engaging in civil society activities are shaping governance, promoting inclusivity, and amplifying the voices of their constituencies. International partnerships that support Syrian civil society empower communities to take charge of their own futures. Advocacy for democratic institutions, transparency, and social justice remains a pillar in Syria’s journey toward stability. As more Syrians participate in civic life, the country moves closer to a future built on cooperation and mutual respect.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, Syrians have demonstrated incredible resilience, refusing to allow past difficulties to dictate their future. Hope is not merely an abstract concept - it is reflected in the everyday actions of those rebuilding their lives, seeking education, supporting their neighbors, and advocating for justice.

With the lifting of sanctions, Syria has a renewed opportunity to stabilize its economy, strengthen civil society, and regain international legitimacy. Syrians now feel that they can look forward to a future where security, opportunity, and peace define their daily lives. With unwavering determination, they continue to shape a better tomorrow - one step at a time.

Gaza Freedom Flotilla Boat Bombed Today

A Nonviolent Pope!

The Nonviolent Pope!

When Francis became Pope — the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit, the first to take the name Francis — it felt like a dove had landed on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From his first appearance on the balcony in St. Peter's Square, asking for the people's blessing before giving his own, something had changed.

Throughout his papacy, Francis stood firm in his advocacy for Palestinian rights and dignity. In moments when the world turned away, he spoke boldly about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. He made historic visits to Palestinian territories, praying at the separation wall and calling for a two-state solution built on justice and mutual respect. "Peace comes through dialogue, not walls," he declared, challenging both political powers and his own flock to see beyond geopolitical interests to the human faces of suffering.

He never let his title eclipse his purpose. He spoke truth to power — but also to his own Church, challenging its rigidity, calling it to remember the Gospel's radical tenderness. He reminded the institution to open its doors not just to the familiar, but to the forgotten.

Revolutionary Stance on Nuclear Weapons

Perhaps one of his most prophetic positions was his unequivocal declaration that the mere possession of nuclear weapons is morally unacceptable. In a historic 2017 address, Francis departed from decades of Catholic teaching that had tolerated nuclear deterrence, stating: "Weapons that result in the destruction of the human race are not only immoral but must also be considered an affront to humanity." This wasn't mere rhetoric; he instructed Vatican diplomats to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, making the Holy See one of the first states to join the agreement.

His stance challenged not only the world's nuclear powers but also the Catholic faithful in those nations, asking them to consider whether security built on mutual threat truly reflected Gospel values.

He did not lead with dominance, but with discernment. He was humble, but never weak. Courageous, but never cruel. Intelligent, but never arrogant. And through that rare blend of virtues and a dramatic shift in the church’s outlook, he rekindled something the world was close to forgetting: the moral imagination.

Nonviolence at the Heart of Catholic Teaching

One of Francis's most transformative contributions was his effort to mainstream nonviolence into Catholic doctrine. Building on the 2017 World Day of Peace message, "Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace," he worked tirelessly to move the Church away from its historical just war tradition toward embracing nonviolence as a core principle.

"To be true followers of Jesus today includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence," he wrote, establishing a commission to reexamine Church teaching on violence. Under his guidance, the Vatican hosted unprecedented conferences on nonviolence, bringing together theologians, peace activists, and victims of conflict to articulate a new Catholic understanding of conflict resolution through peaceful means.

This wasn't merely academic; Francis implemented these principles in Vatican diplomacy, offering mediation in global conflicts and using the Church's moral authority to advocate for peaceful solutions when military intervention seemed inevitable.

Has there ever been a more humble leader?

Francis reminded us that humility without courage is cowardice, and courage without wisdom is recklessness. That real leadership begins where ego ends.

He reminded the Church that its mission is not to control, but to liberate. Not to wound, but to heal. Not to sit in judgment, but to walk in mercy.

He made the world believe in miracles again. Not lightning-bolt miracles, but quiet, persistent ones: a word of forgiveness. A public embrace. A softened heart. A table with room for everyone.

His death leaves a hollow space — not just in Rome, but in the lives of those who saw in him a reflection of what the Church could be. Not perfect, but present. Not powerful, but prophetic. Not above the people, but among them.

Francis was not chosen in the traditional sense. He was blessed to choose.

To choose love over fear. To choose encounter over ideology. To choose wholeness in a world addicted to fracture.

And so I ask you — as Pope Francis so often did:

Let us not be overcome by anger, suspicion, or division. In times of confusion, we are not called to inflame one another, but to encounter one another. With truth. With mercy. And with a desire for the common good. Pope Francis taught us to build peace, not with slogans or scapegoats, but with real acts of humility, care for the poor, and love for creation.

May we find the courage to embrace nonviolence not as passive acceptance of injustice, but as active resistance through love. May we work toward a world where nuclear weapons are remembered as a dangerous chapter in human history, not a present threat. And may we stand in solidarity with all who suffer under occupation and injustice, remembering Francis's constant refrain that peace is built on justice.

May we all find the courage to listen more than accuse, to serve more than condemn, and to heal more than wound. May God bless you — and guide us all.

Celebrating Abdul Aziz Said, co-founder of Nonviolence International