Azim Khamisa

Azim Khamisa
Azim Khamisa
Occupation	Author, Speaker
Notable awards	"Search for Common Ground” International Award (2002); Circle of Courage Award (2006); California Peace Prize
Website
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	Literature portal

Azim Khamisa is a speaker and author of three books, the latest one being "The Secrets of the Bulletproof Spirit: How to Bounce Back from Life's Hardest Hits", published by Random House and coauthored with Jillian Quinn.

His Journey

Azim Noordin Khamisa – author, activist and inspirational speaker – was born in Kenya, Africa and had early training in mathematics, economics and international finance. A successful international investment banker with over 35 years experience, he has conducted business in Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia. A man always on the go, taking action for societal transformation, he is presently the Chairman, CEO and Founder of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) and Founder and National Director of the Constant And Never Ending Improvement (CANEI) program.

Committing his life to halting the continuing cycle of violence among the youth, Azim became a social activist after his 20-year-old son Tariq was senselessly murdered while delivering pizzas in January 1995 by Tony Hicks, a 14-year-old gang member. Azim's first book, "From Murder to Forgiveness" is about the murder of his only son. Tony Hicks, became the first 14-year-old to stand trial as an adult in the state of California. He received a 25-year prison sentence.

Out of unspeakable grief and despair, Khamisa was inspired to transform his loss through the miraculous power of forgiveness. Believing that there were “victims at both ends of the gun,” Azim forgave Tony and founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation to break the cycle of youth violence by saving lives, teaching peace and planting seeds of hope in their future. A month after establishing the foundation, Azim invited Ples Felix, Tony’s grandfather and guardian, to join him. Together, since November 1995, the two have brought their story and message through TKF’s Violence Impact Forums. The duo has reached a half a million elementary and middle school children live and over 20 million via video programs, guiding the youth to choose a peacemaker’s life of non-violence and forgiveness.

Azim gave up his career as a successful international investment banker and speaker, to speak to audiences ranging from small school gatherings to groups growing into the thousands, including – on the occasion of a special rally in Washington DC in 1995 – a crowd of 300,000 people.

Awards

Because of his powerful story and message, Azim is a highly regarded and respected leader and a sought after speaker nationally and internationally. Having given 400 keynote address speeches all over the world – including an audience of 300,000 at the “Stand for Children” rally in Washington D.C. in 1996 – Azim has received more than 60 regional, national and international awards.

Awards that include: in April 1997 the National Crime Victims Special Community Service Award presented by President Bill Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno. In December 2002, he received the prestigious “Search for Common Ground” international award for “Building Peaceful Communities” along with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Ted Koppel. Other recent awards include 2003’s “California Peace Prize,” 2006’s “Freedom Heroes Award,” 2008’s “Death Penalty Focus Award” and “The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award,” the latter being given alongside Muhammad Ali. As well, in June 2004, Azim participated in the Synthesis Dialogues, with the Dalai Lama, held at the Pope’s summer residence in Castelgandolfo, Italy.

In the media

Azim's profound work has been featured in numerous media including the New York Times, People Magazine, Parade Magazine, Washington Post and U.S.A. Today, as well as on NBC’s Today Show and KPBS Fresh Air. He lives in La Jolla, California and is represented by Ellen Stiefler.

External links

His Journey

Awards

In the media

Further reading

External links