Aziz Abu Sarah is a peace building entrepreneur, author and international speaker. A Palestinian raised in Jerusalem, his work has earned him the titles of National Geographic Explorer and TED Fellow. This Palestinian’s own journey from combatant seeking revenge to peacemaker seeking tolerance led to an innovative business method of peacemaking in conflict zones. The MEJDI Method Dual Narrative™ brings those from both sides of a conflict together as travel guides each presenting their viewpoints. This multi-narrative approach to travel was originated by Abu Sara in Israel and reaps remarkable results throughout the world. In 2014, he gave a TED Talk about his vision for redefining tourism and his stories of facilitating reconciliation journeys between warring factions are truly engaging and inspiring. The fundamentals of this same method of peacemaking and reconciliation can be taught and applied to corporate, community, and religious groups and organizations.
Aziz has spoken at numerous international organizations, corporations and universities, including The United Nations, Nexus, TED, BMW, European Parliament, Georgetown, Yale and Harvard. He has published articles in The New York Times, National Geographic, Haaretz, and The Jerusalem Post. He regularly does analysis for CNN, Fox, and Aljazeera. Aziz is the recipient of 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 was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. 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.
In 2018, Aziz received international media coverage when he announced his decision to seek the office of Mayor of Jerusalem. In addition in 2018, Strangers, Neighbors, Friends: Muslim-Christian-Jewish Reflections on Compassion and Peace, a book co-written by Aziz was published.
