How can we heal divides, increase tolerance and make the world a more peaceful place?

Join us in Sydney and Melbourne for a powerful conversation with renowned peace builder, responsible travel innovator, cultural educator and inspirational speaker, Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah.

Experiencing the great loss of his brother at a young age, Aziz’s incredible story of overcoming anger and seeking revenge, and instead choosing love and forgiveness is as beautiful as it is profound. At a time when we’re being asked to choose sides, Aziz’s story and experience helps us to orient towards love and connection over hate and conflict. There’s never been a more critical time for a conversation like this one.

The evening will be welcomed with a musical introduction from Israeli Shai Shriki singing songs of peace, followed by a conversation with Aziz and time for a moderated Q&A session.

Collins Street venue details to be shared closer to event date. Drinks will be available for purchase.

With thanks to our event partners

Our program for the evening

5:30pm – Doors open

6:00pm – Musical welcome with Shai Shriki

6:30pm – In conversation with Aziz, followed by Q&A

7:30pm – Music and mingling

8:30pm – Event concludes

A note from Small Giants

We are heartbroken at the current unfolding of events in Israel/Palestine. A home and sacred place for many of us. Our hearts are with our Israeli and Palestinian brothers and sisters. Small Giants has been working on peace initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians for over a decade and are proud to be hosting Aziz and Shai as two fellow peacebuilders in that region.

If you join us, we encourage you to come with an open heart, an open mind and an orientation towards peace. This conversation is designed to foster connection, not separation.

Meet our guest, Aziz Abu Sarah

Aziz is a renowned figure in peace-building and conflict resolution. With experience in over 60 countries, including conflict zones like Afghanistan and Syria, he's made significant contributions to fostering peace and reconciliation.

A Palestinian-born Muslim, as a young boy Aziz’s older brother was arrested by Israeli soldiers on charges of throwing stones, imprisoned and beaten — and died of his injuries. Aziz grew up seeking revenge – but through meeting other Jews whilst studying Hebrew in later life, he had a realisation: they share much in common. Coming face to face with the “enemy” compelled him to find ways to overcome hatred, anger and fear.

Aziz founded MEJDI Tours to send tourists to Jerusalem with two guides, one Jewish and one Palestinian, each offering a different history story – exploring dual narratives, and teaching how to see the other side. Aziz believes that through travel, connecting to one another and seeing each other for who we are is powerful force for shattering sterotypes and promoting understanding, friendship and peace.

Aziz’s work has earned him the titles of National Geographic Explorer and Ted Fellow. He has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Al-Quds, Haaretz, and has been published by National Geographic, CNN, TED, and Al Arabiya. He has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the World by the Royal Strategic Centre in Jordan each year since 2010.

Meet our moderator, Sally Warhaft

Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year, a Wheeler Centre podcast about Australians’ lives in the fog of the Covid-19 pandemic. She is a former editor of the Monthly magazine and the author of the bestselling book Well May We Say: The Speeches that Made Australia.

Sally is a regular host and commentator on ABC radio and has a PhD in anthropology. She did her fieldwork in Mumbai, India, living by the seashore with the local fishing community.