obituaries

By Sami Tayeb

Saba Shami, 65, a prominent advocate for the Arab-American community, died from cancer on Sept. 17. After leaving his hometown of Haifa almost 40 years ago, Shami came to the United States and subsequently held many positions within the Virginia state government, including chief deputy commissioner for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, director of the Taskforce for Business Development with the Near East, special assistant to the commissioner at the Department of Motor Vehicles (where he founded the Office of Outreach and served as its first director), director of special projects for the Port Authority and chief deputy director for the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

Saba’s experience and knowledge of Virginia politics virtually allowed him to reach out to any elected official in the state, which made him an effective advocate for Arab Americans.

Saba also founded the New Dominion PAC, which is the largest and most influential network of Arab Americans in Virginia, and the Arab American Democratic Caucus of Virginia. Officials running for office in the state actively sought both of these groups’ endorsements while campaigning, including senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

According to Fred Shwaery of the media organization Arab America, “Saba spoke many dialects of Arabic which made him a very popular speaker. He had an uncanny ability to connect people and he knew everyone’s relatives. The ability to speak many Arabic dialects made him in demand as a political commentator on Middle East television. Every week, he appeared throughout the Middle East on news and political television shows.”

On Facebook, Senator Tim Kaine wrote, “Heartbroken at the death of my friend Saba Shami, who fought cancer with the same bravery and spirit he brought to his incredible public service. If you met Saba even once, you would never forget him— always trying to help others and a friend to all. My thoughts go out to Amira and their children.”

Saba is survived by his wife, Amira Mazzawi Shami, and his two sons, Yousef Shami and Amir Shami.

Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber alSabah, 91, Emir of Kuwait, died Sept. 29 while undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 2006, Sabah became the Emir of Kuwait after having spent four decades shaping Kuwaiti foreign policy as the country’s foreign minister, beginning in 1963. In recognition of

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his humanitarian efforts around the world, Sabah was given the title “Prince of Humanity” in Kuwait. U.S. President Jimmy Carter once said about Sabah, “his support of disaster relief, peace efforts, and advancing public health are an inspiration. Other world leaders can learn from his example.” Sabah’s half brother Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah succeeded him to the throne.

Mohammad Reza Shajarian, 80, Persian classical music singer died Oct. 8 after a decade-long battle with kidney cancer. Born in Mashhad, Iran in 1940, Shajarian’s interest in music was inspired by learning to recite the Qur’an as a child. After studying with well-known masters of classical Persian music in

Tehran while he worked as a teacher, he began his music career by singing ballads on the radio. After all music, with the exception of classical music, was banned in Iran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Shajarian’s career took off. In the decades following the revolution, his presence was ubiquitous on state radio and television.

Among his many accolades, he received two awards from the United

Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO), including the Picasso Medal in 1999 and the Mozart Medal in 2006. National Public Radio (NPR) named him one of the world’s “50 Great Voices.” During the 2009 protests in Tehran,

Shajarian expressed support for the protesters, and while driving through

Tehran he flashed a victory sign and said, “death to the dictator.” After this and other acts of dissent, the government banned Shajarian from giving live performances and from state media. Despite the ban, his popularity grew and he continued to perform and record new music abroad.

Upon his death, President Hassan

Rouhani stated on social media that

“the grateful people of Iran will forever remember this beloved artist and his work.” ■