IBN RUSHD Fund for Freedom of Thought presents the
IBN RUSHD Prize 2002 to
the Arab Parliamentarian Azmi Bishara

On December 14th, 2002 Azmi Bishara received the fourth IBN RUSHD Prize for Freedom of Thought in "Werkstatt der Kulturen" in Berlin. He is honoured for his struggle for freedom and democracy in Palestine and the Arab World.

Der Vorsitzende des IBN RUSHD Funds for Freedom of Thought, Nabil Bushnaq (Mitte),  hält eine Begrüßungsrede, worin er die Auswahlkriterien der Jury und der Kandidaten beschrieb und hervorhub, daß viele arabische Politiker bei der Durchsetzung von Demokratie große Gefahren auf sich nehmen.
Nabil Bushnaq, Chairman of the IBN RUSHD Fund for Freedom of Thought (sitting in the middle), gives a welcome speech. He explains the criteria,  in which the jury and the candidates have been chosen and stresses upon the fact, that many Arab Politicians readily go through danger for the sake of democracy. 

Dr. Hamid Fadlalla, Vorstandsmitglied des Vereins, hält die Begrüßungsrede auf Arabisch. 
Dr. Hamid Fadlalla, member of the board, gives a welcome speech in Arabic.

Prof. Alexander held a laudatory speech on Azmi Bishara entitled "The absent, who is yet strongly present", hinting at posessions of refugees that had formally been declared "amlak gha'ib". Following the stations of Azmi Bishara's life he described Azmi Bishara as blunt, steadfast and quite intelligent. He said he Azmi Bishara is - because of his strong will - for some rather annoing. 
Azmi Bishara (links) erhält den IBN RUSHD Preis für das Jahr 2002  von Nabil Bushnaq entgegen.
Azmi Bishara (left) receives the IBN RUSHD Prize 2002 from Nabil Bushnaq. 

Azmi Bishara spricht in seinem Vortrag über zwei Arten der Staatsbürgerschaften. Die Gründung eines palästinensischen Staates ist für ihn eine sichere Sache. Die Frage ist nur wann und unter welchen Bedingungen.
 Azmi Bishara is talking about two kinds of citizenships. There is no doubt to him that there will be a Palestinian state. The question is when and under which condition.
Unter den deutschen und arabischen Gästen befinden sich Akademiker, Journalisten, Intellektuelle und Künstler verschiedener Nationalitäten. Saleh Hussain, Vertreter der Ausländerbeauftragten des Senats von Berlin, richtete einen Willkommensgruß an den Ehrengast. 
Among the German and Arab guests are academics, journalists, intellectuals, poets and artists of different nationalities. A representative of the foreigners in the senate of Berlin, Saleh Hussain, said a word of welcome to the guest of honour.

"What can be done to help our people in Palestine and what about all the refugees who have been living for decades in camps outside Palestine?" was the question of this lady. Azmi Bishara made his position clear about the right of return of refugees who have been forced to live abroad.
Im Anschluß an den Vorträgen findet eine Pressekonferenz statt, in der Azmi Bishara auf die Fragen der Journalisten antwortet. Rechts neben ihm sitzt Hikmat Bushnaq, der Frage und Antworten in und aus dem arabischen übersetzt. 
After the festivity interested people are invited to attend a press conference, at which Azmi Bishara answers the questions of the journalists. Mr. Hikmat Bushnaq is sitting at his right to translate questions and answers from and into the Arabic language.

This Page was last updated on 28th. December 2002

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