Shining World Compassion Award Recipient: Dr. Munjed Al Muderis –Orthopedics Revolutionary and Human Rights Activist

Born to a prominent family in Baghdad, Iraq, Dr. Munjed Al Muderis first dreamed of becoming a surgeon after watching 'The Terminator' as a boy. Having seen many victims of conflict with missing limbs, Dr. Al Muderis’ dream of someday helping such people was finally realized after 10 years of resettlement, when in 2010, he began his career as an orthopedic surgeon.

Today, Dr. Al Muderis is one of the few surgeons in the world who pioneered osseointegration surgery, which takes mobility, functionality and quality of life for amputees to a new level. Through his foundation, Dr. Al Muderis’ biggest hope is to further develop, expand, and share this life-changing technology with the world, and to provide help unconditionally to people who need it most.

A compassionate ambassador for multiple humanitarian organizations, Dr. Al Muderis champions for people seeking asylum and refugees, sharing his words of encouragement. "The message that I would give to all refugees is that, when we leave our birth countries we get detached from our roots, and it may take a very long time before we find roots again in the new place that we live in. But what I would recommend is that don't give up, don't lose hope, and don't feel alienated, because there will be discrimination, however the way you deal with it is by showing compassion and interaction, integration, assimilation and education."

Upon hearing about his humanitarian, revolutionary work, Supreme Master Ching Hai appreciatively presented Dr. Al Muderis the Shining World Compassion Award, plus US$20,000 as a humble token of support toward the refugee foundation under his care. "Dear Dr Al Muderis, It is with great admiration and gratitude that we present to you the 'Shining World Compassion Award' for your tremendous contributions to the osseointegration surgery field and for championing the welfare of refugees, hoping to build a more compassionate and caring global community. Your love has led you on many self-funded missions to heal the body and hearts of traumatized people, rekindling their confidence. For making amputees whole again creating hope of a brighter future, and for being a courageous, merciful and admirable example of saintly nobility, with the utmost respect, we salute the great compassionate deeds of Dr. Munjed Al Muderis. May Heaven shower you with abundant love. In Allah's Immense Love, Protection and Blessings, Supreme Master Ching Hai."