Meet Hiam Abbass, One of Our 20th Annual Media Awards Honorees
June 9, 2011
On June 25, MPAC will honor prolific actress Hiam
Abbass during our 20th Annual Media Awards Gala for
her role as Hind Husseini in the groundbreaking film "Miral."
Abbass plays Husseini, a visionary teacher who founded the Dar Al-Tifel
Institute in Jerusalem after the Arab-Israeli War, in this poignant movie based on a true story.
Each year, in coordination with the MPAC Foundation, MPAC's Media Awards
Gala honors artists, actors, executives, authors and activists for serving as "voices of courage and conscience." Since 1991, MPAC has honored those who use
art and media to create enriching and humanizing portrayals of Islam and
Muslims, promote diversity and social justice issues, and inspire action.
Born in Nazareth, Abbass was raised as a Muslim and speaks both
English and French fluently. In 2008, she won the Best Performance by an
Actress at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for her role in "Lemon Tree,"
the story of a Palestinian woman's heroic battle to defend her lemon orchard.
Abbass is also well known for her role in "Satin Rouge" (2002) and for "The
Syrian Bride" (2004).
In her role for "Miral," the story of an orphaned Palestinian girl who is placed in an orphanage by her father, Abbass plays Hind
Husseini, a Palestinian woman who opens an orphanage to more than 2,000
children.
In recent interviews, Abbass has said that she identifies with
Husseini's belief that education is the key to peace. She feels that her example
is extremely relevant today and was moved at her teachings that her "girls"
were relevant and that they counted for something. Although she never met
Husseini, Abbass said all those who did meet her mentioned her aura and the
fact that once you met her, you would never be the same. Abbass said she
believes that "Miral" is an important movie, one that relays Husseini's message
that the path to peace comes through education.
"If some educational work could happen between the youngest generations,
with people on both sides meeting, a lot of things would really change," Abbass
said in a recent interview. For her firm beliefs and for serving as a voice of courage and
conscience, Abbass will be presented with an MPAC
Media Award.
Click here for more information on the MPAC Media Awards, including ticket and sponsorship information.
IN THIS SECTION
RELATED STORIES
-
MPAC Media Awards
April 6, 2020 -
MPAC Media Awards
April 28, 2018 -
First Media Trailblazer Award
May 9, 2014
RELATED MULTIMEDIA
-
2010 Media Awards
May 22, 2010 -
Grey's Anatomy - MPAC Media Awards
May 6, 2010 -
MPAC Media Awards Video
April 29, 2010 -
Faran Tahir 2010 Media Awards honoree
April 9, 2010
one-time or monthly donation.