Mr. Shukri Azar (Abu Azar) A Life Written Through Work … and Preserved in Memory
As Told by His Children
Prepared by : Milad Korkis
Project Supervisor : Memora 360
Not all biographies are written because their subjects asked for them,
nor because their names filled headlines,
but because their lives left an impact that cannot be ignored.
This is not the biography of an exceptional man by the standards of heroism,
but the story of an ordinary human being
who chose honesty as his path,
work as a way of life,
and staying as an act of loyalty to his place and his people.
When we write about Mr. Shukri Azar,
we are not merely documenting stages of a lifetime,
but recording the story of a city
in which the human being came before the project,
dignity before profit,
and family before everything else.
This biography is told as it was lived:
quietly, with steady steps,
and with an impact that endured longer than time itself.
Testimony of the Children (Documentary Interview)
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First : Upbringing and Formation
1. How do the children describe their father Shukri Azar’s childhood, and under what circumstances did he grow up?
The children :
The children describe their father’s childhood as simple and harsh at the same time.
Shukri Azar grew up in a modest rural environment, yet one filled with responsibility.
Abu Azar lived obedient to his parents and cared for his father and mother from a young age without hesitation.
Life in Derik depended on effort and cooperation among family members,
which shaped his early character and made him a dependable man from childhood.
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2. What are the most prominent memories the children recall from their father’s childhood, and did they have a clear impact on his future personality?
The children :
Among the most important memories we learned from our father is a saying that accompanied us throughout our lives:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
He began his professional life as an ice seller, then a vegetable vendor,
and later opened a small falafel restaurant in his home (Azar Restaurant) in the Derik market.
To clarify, our father Shukri was the first to introduce falafel to Derik.
With time and perseverance, by God’s grace and through his hard work,
and with the support of relatives from Sweden,
he came to own a resort and a hotel that are considered among the most important landmarks of the city.
These memories marked the beginnings of a dream that came true step by step.
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3. What was Shukri Azar’s relationship with his family and the social environment in Derik during his childhood?
The children :
His relationship with his family was based on respect, obedience, and love.
He was beloved in the neighborhood from a young age, known for his humility,
his strong and straightforward personality, and his ability to create a warm and friendly atmosphere among his peers.
The social environment of Derik, with its rural character,
instilled in him a deep sense of belonging to the city and its people
a sense of belonging that remains with him to this day.
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4. How did Shukri Azar’s educational path unfold, and which traits stood out during that period?
The children :
Our father’s educational path was not long,
as he did not complete his studies due to life circumstances and early work.
Nevertheless, he was known from childhood for his strong, energetic, and social personality
restless, constantly active, and always taking initiative.
His practical nature led him early on to focus on work rather than formal education,
which became the most important step in building his future.
Today, our father encourages all young people to continue their education,
as he believes life has become easier with learning,
and that the opportunities available today did not exist in his time.
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5. What challenges did Shukri Azar face in his youth, and how did they shape his character?
The children :
Our father started from zero, in a remote village lacking even the simplest resources.
The support of his wife, Nadia Eliya, played a major role in his life;
she was his greatest pillar, encouraging him and standing by him at every stage.
All these circumstances together refined his character
and made him stronger and more determined to achieve what he has accomplished today.
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6. Were there specific events or situations in his youth that marked a turning point in his life?
The children :
Yes, there were situations that represented turning points in his life,
most notably his constant commitment to honesty
and his refusal to emigrate despite the years of war,
because he believed that his staying in Syria gave others the strength to stay as well.
These positions reinforced his sense of responsibility and commitment toward his family and his homeland.
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Second : Work and Professional Journey
7. How did Shukri Azar begin his professional career before establishing the Azar Tourist Resort?
The children :
Our father began his professional journey by managing a small falafel restaurant in the Derik market.
When people in Derik spoke about food, many would say:
“The taste of Abu Azar’s falafel is still unforgettable.”
Over time, he gained experience in organizing work and serving guests,
and became known for his honesty and good conduct,
which helped him build strong relationships and paved the way for larger projects later on.
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8. What motivated Shukri Azar to establish the Azar Tourist Resort in Derik?
The children :
The main motivation was his dream of creating a beautiful place worthy of Derik,
offering visitors a space for rest and joy,
and highlighting the beauty of the region and the character of its people.
Despite job offers in Qamishli and Al-Hasakah,
and the opportunity to travel to Sweden to establish a resort there,
he insisted on building a major project in his small hometown,
out of love and deep attachment to Derik
and a sincere desire to serve its people directly.
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9. What were the main difficulties Shukri Azar faced in building and operating the resort, and how did he overcome them?
The children :
Our father faced significant challenges in building the resort,
most notably a lack of resources, logistical and engineering difficulties,
and societal pressure questioning the feasibility of the project.
He overcame these challenges through perseverance,
by building a team that believed in his vision,
relying on his experience in project management,
and personally participating in every detail—
from laying the stones to planting the trees—
to ensure the project’s success.
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10. How did the resort become a well-known tourist destination?
The children :
The resort became a well-known tourist destination thanks to:
– good management,
– quality food and a welcoming atmosphere,
– high-quality services and appealing simplicity,
– its good reputation and people’s trust in his character.
It became a destination for residents of Qamishli, Al-Hasakah, and surrounding areas.
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11. What role did Shukri Azar play in supporting the people of his city socially, humanely, and professionally?
The children :
Our father, “Abu Azar”:
– opened job opportunities for young people in need,
– contributed to resolving social disputes,
– supported those in need quietly and discreetly,
– supported cultural and artistic initiatives within the city.
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12. How do the children view Shukri Azar’s role in opening Derik to the artistic and media spheres?
The children :
Our father hosted prominent artistic and media figures at the resort
such as George Kordahi, Azar Habib, Salloum Haddad, Hatem Ali, Ali Karem,
Milad Youssef, Wadih Murad, Samer Gabro, and many other well-known figures.
This elevated the city’s status
and made the resort a meeting place for art, media, and humanity.
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Third : Legacy and Values
13. What human and professional legacy did Shukri Azar leave behind?
The children :
Generosity, honest work, and helping the poor and the sick.
Love for people and honesty in dealing with others.
A determination to leave a positive mark wherever he goes.
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14. What values and principles did the children learn from their father?
The children :
We learned respect for others,
that honest work is never a shame,
that one must defend one’s livelihood and effort,
that “only what is right truly endures,”
that integrity is an essential part of life,
and that true success lies in bringing happiness into people’s hearts.
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15. How did the personality of “Abu Azar” influence his children’s way of life?
The children :
It made our outlook on life simpler yet deeper.
He taught us that a person is known by actions, not words,
that family is origin and support,
and that cities are built through the efforts of their people.
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Fourth : The Children’s Words
16. If the children were to send a message to their father today, what would they say?
The children :
“Dad, everything we are today is an extension of your roots.
Thank you for being our father and our role model.”
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17. What does the phrase “My father… Shukri Azar” mean to the children?
The children :
It means strength, support, and reassurance.
Just thinking that he is our father makes us feel an inner richness,
as if we own an entire city.
To us, he is a towering mountain;
looking at him gives us strength and warmth.
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18. What do the children wish to see in their father’s future?
The children :
To see him at ease and proud of what he has achieved, surrounded by his loved ones,
to receive recognition, enjoy good health, and live a fulfilling life,
and to witness the success of his children and grandchildren.
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Thus, this biography does not end with a single event or achievement,
nor is it reduced to a project or a place name.
It extends into the small details, the values that remain,
and the impact that has become part of the city’s memory.
The story of Mr. Shukri Azar is a quiet reminder
that a person is not measured by what he owns,
but by what he leaves in the hearts of others,
and that cities are preserved when their people preserve them.
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Personal Message
Written by : Milad Korkis
Project Supervisor : Memora 360
To Mr. Shukri Azar (Abu Azar),
to his esteemed family,
and to his beloved children and grandchildren,
These words are not a casual message, nor lines written out of obligation.
They are a sincere message of affection from someone who has come close to this family and seen in it far more than names or descriptions.
I came to know it as a home where respect is lived, warmth resides, and the human being is placed above all else.
I became acquainted with this family through its sons and daughters: the brothers Azar and Farah, and the sisters Ghussoun, Hala, and Christina.
Their presence was an honest reflection of an upbringing deeply rooted in values, and of relationships founded on sincerity, cohesion, and loyalty. A family that does not raise its voice, yet leaves a lasting impact; one that does not seek the spotlight, but whose presence brings reassurance and calm.
Within this deeply human context, I must pause to express my profound respect and appreciation for Mrs. Nadia Eliya, the life partner of Mr. Shukri Azar, his companion on the journey, the pillar of his household, and the dignified mother of his children.
She has been, and continues to be, a quiet source of strength, a patient heart, and a steadfast support whose influence needs no proclamation.
Her presence was never loud, yet it was constant, deep, and essential to everything that was built and achieved. She represents the woman who creates balance, preserves the home, and nurtures values with noble silence.
On a personal level, I cannot forget the most beautiful days of my life the summers of my childhood that I spent within your resort. Those days were not merely holidays; they were pure memories, filled with a sense of safety and an early, genuine joy.
We never felt that we were visiting a foreign place; rather, we entered a space that felt like home and left it feeling that we were part of a family. Warmth lived in the details, tranquility in the faces, because the interaction was never merely commercial or superficial, but stemmed from kindness of heart, sincere affection, and genuine respect for the human being as a human being.
Such feelings cannot be bought, nor do they arise by chance; they are cultivated through the values of those who shape a place and remain preserved in memory as a beautiful part of one’s life.
We have never experienced anything from you but love, nor encountered in your presence anything but sincerity, noble character, and genuine humanity. This alone is a living testimony—one that is not written in ink, but read in behavior, understood through actions, and carried in memory.
You have every right to be proud of Mr. Shukri Azar not only for what he has built or achieved, but for the human impact he has left behind, and for the values he has instilled in his family and his city alike. True legacy is not measured by the size of projects, but by the depth of their impact; it is not preserved in images, but in the hearts of people.
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