Farwell to our Teacher, Friend and Mentor Dr Hassan Abbas

With great sorrow, pain and sadness, we mourn the loss of our teacher, friend and mentor Dr Hassan Abbas, who passed away yesterday after a noble and brave battle with illness. For ten years, Dr Hassan Abbas has stood with us, offering us his vision, his intellect, his love and his generosity, actively participating in shaping our mission and work.
His contributions are countless and immeasurable. Words cannot do them justice. He was a constant presence with us over the years, offering and providing his scholarship, training and mentorship to dozens of researchers, doing so with his extraordinary kindness and his giving spirit.
With the passing of our dear friend Hassan Abbas, Ettijahat and the Syrian and Arab cultural sectors lose an extraordinary figure in the production of free humanist culture and thought. With unrelenting commitment, Dr Abbas dedicated his life to dreaming of, thinking about and working towards a modern Syria which fosters the values of civic engagement, dignity and culture.
Ettijahat’s General Assembly, Board of Directors and staff offer their deepest condolences to the family, friends and students of our beloved teacher and friend Hassan Abbas, who has left us just when we needed him the most.