DETROIT — One peace activist is inspiring people around the world to turn tragedy into something positive.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish experienced a horrific tragedy on Jan. 16, 2009 when Israeli shells hit his home in the Gaza Strip, killing his three daughters and niece. Instead of allowing it to consume him with hate, or becoming bitter he encouraged constructive dialogue among people in the region, and launched The Daughters For Life Foundation.  

His response to the tragedy made world news, and earned him humanitarian awards. The Foundation advances the education and health of girls and young women in the Middle East.  

It believes that lasting peace in the Middle East depends on empowering girls and women through education to develop strong voices for the betterment of life throughout the region. 

It provides financial assistance for women facing hardship, in countries such as Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Canada at the graduate and undergraduate level. In 2011 it distributed 23 awards to women attending universities in the Middle East, and in 2012 plans on distributing 40 more.

“If you want to hate, that means you’re another victim. So don’t accept being a victim more than once,” he said. Dr. Abuelaish is a Palestinian physician and infertility expert who was born and raised in the Gaza Strip. 

Abuelaish

 “When I saw my daughters and niece killed in front of me, I said this tragedy is for good and must be invested in good, and will continue to be invested in good,” he said. 

“These girls will be leaders in the future, at home and in the community. They will be the engine for the change. They are great girls, I am proud of them.  I see in these girls my daughters’ plans and dreams,” he said, noting his daughters never fulfilled their future ambitions. 

He says one daughter was close to completing her bachelor’s degree, another was an aspiring physician, and the other planned on being a journalist or lawyer. 

On Wednesday the United Auto Workers presented a check to The Foundation in support of its mission during a special tribute for Dr. Izzeldin held at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn in collaboration with the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services.Dr. Izzeldin was once quoted as saying that if he knew his daughters were the last sacrifice on the road to peace between Palestinians and Israelis, then he would accept their loss. 

He believes the first step towards bringing peace among Palestinians and Israelis is to 

stop the occupation.  “Palestine, it’s in my heart. It’s in my soul. It’s the place where my daughters are buried, my beloved people, my roots, my memories. Even if I am here it moves with me…I am hopeful more than any time before. I see the Palestinian state, and the Palestinians to be free and to live free in this world,” he said. He says the roles women play in society can have a significant impact on the development of a country, and in many cases there’s evidence that countries with greater involvement from educated women are more advanced. He’s determined to instill confidence in women. 

 “The first step in failure is to lose faith in confidence, and say ‘no I can’t do this.’ Women can do it, be educated and be armed with this education and work together,”’ he said. 

He says men and women are equals who must work together and support each other. 

 “We men and women, we are not competing, we’re complementing each other.”  

Dr. Izzeldin was born and raised in a refugee camp in Palestine, and managed to eventually earn a Master’s degree in public health from Harvard University, one of the most esteemed academic institutions in the world. He currently lives in Toronto with his five remaining children. 

“The only impossible thing in life is to bring my daughters back,’ he said. “I went to Harvard, why not, anyone can do that. I’m not exceptional. It’s the determination, and to be confident, and to believe in yourself.  I can be the one I want, but it is with courage and action,” he said.