Author Archives: Sami Awad
The Palestinian Exodus
For Jews, the Exodus is one of the key events that shaped Jewish narrative, history, and identity. It is a foundational story of the Jewish people. Not only for Jews, but for many of us, followers of the Christian faith, it is a key story in our faith – at par with the importance ofContinue reading “The Palestinian Exodus”
Ending Fear and Violence in the World Today
We live in a violent world. And fear, especially fear of losing what we have gained and achieved (politically, socially, economically, personally, emotionally, religiously, etc.) is the motivation fueling this violence. Fear, both real and manipulated, has become the central lens we use in how we relate to others. Our identity groups are imbued inContinue reading “Ending Fear and Violence in the World Today”
Talk at 10 year Combatants for Peace Anniversary
On July 15, 2016, Combatants for Peace celebrated their 10 year anniversary during the Freedom March Protest organized by them monthly. I was honored to have been asked to give a talk during the protest. The following is a text of my talk. Dear friends, dear you who still dare to dream and believe… WeContinue reading “Talk at 10 year Combatants for Peace Anniversary”
Redefining my Friend and my Foe
I grew up living under the Israeli military occupation, in a situation where my friends and my foes were clearly defined, those who were for the occupation and those who wanted the occupation to end. I witnessed the Israeli army and Jewish settlers attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists. So when it came to IsraeliContinue reading “Redefining my Friend and my Foe”
It was a Life
Every killing of every human is a story and a life that was, that is and was to be. It was a heartbeat that stopped before its time. It was a dream that disappeared abruptly like a television set that suddenly lost its power. It was a young woman who ate her last meal; itContinue reading “It was a Life”
Jesus was Asian: A Lesson in Faith from Hong Kong
I just returned from my first visit to Hong Kong where I was invited to speak at the annual Justice Conference Asia on the following topics: Persecution, Religious Freedom, Migration and Border Control. I was also invited by the Ray Bakke Institute (who graciously covered all my expenses) to hold speaking engagements in several churchesContinue reading “Jesus was Asian: A Lesson in Faith from Hong Kong”
A Jesus Based Leadership Development Program
A friend of mine once asked me what I thought was the leadership style Jesus developed and used to bring his vision and message to humanity. It was something I never thought of before. Jesus was Jesus; he did not need to develop a leadership approach, he just did what he did and whatever he did was the right thingContinue reading “A Jesus Based Leadership Development Program”
When Illusions become Traps
On September 29, 2012, the Palestinian leadership went to the United Nations and overwhelmingly received a “non-member observing state status” in the General Assembly. I was sitting with friends who were glued to TV screens watching intensely, even with tears of joy rolling down their eyes as the green lights flicked on in the General AssemblyContinue reading “When Illusions become Traps”
Being Light in the Midst of Darkness
As we were heading out to dinner last night, our host told us in a simple and loving voice “oh, just take enough money with you for dinner, you never know.. we might get held up.” A gentle smile and we followed him out the door of a high rise structure that can be calledContinue reading “Being Light in the Midst of Darkness”
Sami Awad 