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.

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