SYRACUSE -- Syracuse University held a day of remembrance for the film student killed in his native country of Syria on Wednesday. Bassel Shahade was a SU film student who took a break from his studies to become a citizen journalist in Syria.
The day started with a Memorial Service at Hendricks Chapel, continued with a symposium on Syria's current situation, and finished with a benefit concert performance at Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College.
Malek Jandali, award-winning composer and pianist, took part in each event, lending his talents both in honoring Shahade and advocating for human rights and democracy in Syria.
Daniel Aguilera, a fellow SU film student and friend of Bassel, says although it cost him his life, he really admired Bassel's fearless use of the camera.
"I think it was just the courage in which he carried the camera," Aguilera says. "He really carried it courageously, and was brave about it."
With the One World concert featuring the Dalai Lama also in Syracuse on Monday and Tuesday, Aguilera says he hopes people can carry on the message of peace the Dalai Lama left.
"I hope that, with Bassel's memorial and some of the events that have been going on here, that people can become aware of the true sacrifice that filmmakers...can make," says Aguilera.
