Thanks to all who attended Said's memorial celebration at Haw Creek Commons. It was a beautiful gathering. It was amazing how many folks were touched by knowing Said and even knowing someone who knew him! His warm personality, generous nature, commitment to humans living in a better way on our beautiful planet will remain with me for the rest of my life. Special thanks to the "Said Abdallah Memorial Coordinating Committee" also! It was a very special experience to work in this group to bring the event honoring Said to fruition. Said Abdallah, "Presente!" Forever.

We are extremely saddened of the loss of our friend may he rest in peace 🙏. You will always be in our hearts 💕 The Karaky Family 

— with Anne Craig and Rebecca Croog

— with Anne Craig

— with Tommy Craig

— with Ninh Võ

— with Ninh Võ

Please help to make this gathering in Said's memory and honor beautiful and bountiful by signing up for a task on the google doc previously posted. Here is an addendum to that doc, fyi. Thank you.

DRINKS: We need lots of drinks so please bring tea, water, seltzers, etc. in gallons, 24-packs, several liters…Even if the sign-up sheet is full for drinks, feel free to bring more.

FLOWERS: In addition to purchasing flowers - bringing pine branches, boxwood, ivy, etc in vases is an inexpensive alternative. Even if the sign-up sheet is full, feel free to bring flowers or greenery

CANDLES: All electric candles are fine. Wicks on actual candles must be below the top of a glass enclosure.

FOCUS TABLE: We need someone(s) to take on the creating of a meaningful display showing who Said was. It can include: photos, flowers, things that represent aspects of his life, map with places he visited, list of places he volunteered…This is up to your creativity.

SECOND TABLE: is a place for folks to write their memories on cards that will be given to the family. It would be nice if this table could have a tablecloth (rectangular), one or more photos of Said, and perhaps some greenery but it’s open to interpretation.

PLEASE LABEL ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TAKE HOME, WITH YOUR NAME

IF THE SIGN UP SHEET IS FULL FOR A PARTICULAR ITEM, IT’S OKAY TO BRING MORE

CONTACT PERSON: EMAIL: susides@gmail.com or TEXT: 828-628-3688

Here is a link to a doc for signing up to help at the memorial celebration:

https://docs.google.com/sprea…

What a surprise! Said will be sorely missed here in Western NC. I’ll always honor him as a real life peace hero. What a joy to know his love for humanity. 

My dear friend, my 'soul brother', my comrade in the work to 'free' Palestine and for justice and peace is gone. I'm still in shock. His face, laugh and glance are still so clear in my mind's eye. There are too many memories of our times together. He seemed to have finally found where he wanted to live and with whom, far away from this country who's government causes so much pain. What a cruel irony!

My heart is broken, broken open to hold my grief but also the memory of our friendship so I can carry on as he would wish.

I don’t even remember what year it was maybe 2011, 2012. Came into work one morning and found a Penske moving truck with a Volkswagen vanagon on a car dolly behind it. Went inside and opened the shop up came back out to Said walking down towards the shop. He said that he was broke down in googled to find the best Volkswagen mechanics for his vanagon and pointed that Penske truck in our direction. I’ll never forget that morning.  That day developed into a friendship that lasted years.Said ended up buying an old school bus that had been parked in our lot, furnished it and made it home for a couple of years. A sweet soul, a gentleman, a good friend, a wise man with interesting tales. My strongest regret is when moving out of the area, losing touch. I’ll never forget those mornings having coffee huddled around the heater inside the bus. Him giving me a hand while I was working on his van, the long long conversations. I’ll miss you Said, you were a great friend, person, impeccable human. 

Many in our community knew and loved Said. He was a Palestinian devoted to the liberation of his nation and people, but also a world citizen, very clear on the evil nature of global capitalism, militarism, and imperialism. He showed up at public demos for Palestine, sometimes at his own peril. He worked to help establish a JVP chapter here. He was a peacemaker and a very generous guy, often offering his skills as an electrician to friends for little to nothing and giving gifts all the time. 10 years ago, he helped persuade Melody and myself to go to Palestine despite our concerns for our own safety. He said just go, the Palestinians will take care of you. Sure enough, they did. It was a life-changing experience that shaped our world view and fueled our activism. We and many others here in Asheville - and in other parts of the world - will never forget him. Said Abdallah, presente!

A photo Ninh Võ shared from one of Said's visits to Vietnam — with Ninh Vo