For his lasting memory, The Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship at the American University of Beirut established the Dr. Hassan Abbas Award in Citizenship and Social Justice to honor his inspirational legacy and to recognize exceptional AUB students.
Dr. Hassan Abbas was an author, scholar, activist, and a dear friend and colleague. He is the Founder and ex-President of the Syrian League for Citizenship (SL4C) and was a professor and researcher at the Institut Français du Proche-Orient in Damascus. Dr. Abbas joined the American University of Beirut as the Director of the Culture as Resistance Program at the Asfari Institute in 2017, a position he held until his tragic death from cancer on March 7, 2021. Throughout his life, he was a “firm believer in truth, justice, human dignity, participatory democracy, equality and tolerance, values which he practiced and lived.”
This award is granted to a Syrian student completing their undergraduate degree at the American University of Beirut who demonstrates a strong record of academic excellence and a commitment to citizenship, social justice, and freedom; is of outstanding character, and promotes tolerance and inclusivity.
Awardees:
2021: Manar Ahmad Chorbaji
Manar Chorbaji is a Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) graduate of May 2021, who earned a BA in Media & Communications. The Award was presented during the AUB Faculty of Arts and Sciences 2021 Virtual Awards Ceremony on June 10, 2021, in the presence of AUB’s President Dr. Fadlo Khuri, and FAS Dean Dr. Nadia El Cheikh.