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Jose Said Saffie Santiago, Chile |
This award is given to individuals who have sustained commitment to revitalize the Palestinian essence with its cultural heritage, core values, current needs, and future aspirations, and sustained commitment to being a sturdy bridge of solidarity with and support to Palestinians in Palestine, the Holy Land, and beyond.
Hear the story of a successful Palestinian Family in Diaspora. Isa Said, family patriarch, immigrated to Peru from Jerusalem. Through perseverance and hard work, he achieved success. He and his five sons contributed much towards the continued growth and development of the textile industry in Peru and Bolivia, managing extensive cotton plantations and cotton-yarn factories. One of the five was Salvador, the father of nine children, including one son named José Said Saffie.
José became involved in his extended family's operations at an early age. During the 1940s, the Said family relocated to Chile to develop a textile industry there, and José Said was an active participant in their first business, Industrias Químicas Generales. In the 1960s, José Said and his uncle founded Banco del Trabajo, which grew to be among the five largest banks in Chile.
The Said Family continues to progress and significantly impact the business world. Today, as a renowned and respected businessman in the world of culture and finance, Jose' Said Saffie is uniquely positioned, as his business activities have extended to several countries within Latin America.
"The success of Mr. Said has not dimmed his passion and remembrance of his culture and heritage," says HCEF President and CEO, Sir Rateb Rabie, KCHS. "His affinity to his ancestors and strong ties with others in the Palestinian territories has been strengthened through his many successful business ventures and connections, and Mr. Said has been instrumental in inspiring many other Palestinians in Diaspora to take initiative in developing programs to reconnect with their roots. Truly his contributions are most significant as they continue to give hope and support to Palestine while being directed towards active solidarity to the cause."
We do not accept the belief that our youth will not know or remember their heritage. Thus, this award has been created to not only honor Palestinians in Diaspora who are committed to supporting their homeland, Palestine but to compliment the HCEF Know Thy Heritage Leadership Program (KTH) initiative, which was developed to empower Palestinians youth in the Diaspora by strengthening their knowledge of their Palestinian identity, culture, history and traditions, as well as their understanding of Palestinian economic environment, political landscape, social structures and conditions.
As an outstanding Palestinian, Mr. Said will be the first recipient of the 2012 HCEF Palestinian Diaspora Award on Friday, November 9, 2012, at the Annual HCEF Awards Banquet, which will be held at the Washington Marriott, Washington, DC, and in conjunction with the 14th International Conference: 3rd Business, Investment & ICT Conference, which will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the National 4H Conference Center, in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
To learn more about the 14th International Conference & Awards Banquet, click on one of the helpful links below.
