Shadi Martini is a Syrian American businessman and interfaith cooperation advocate. In 2011, during the Arab Spring, Mr. Martini helped provide medical aid to wounded protesters. After his activities were discovered by the secret police, he was forced to flee the country. The activist moved to the US where he joined the Multifaith Alliance, a non-profit organization representing the largest interfaith response to the Syrian crisis. 

The mission of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is to recognize and celebrate courageous individuals all over the world lending a helping hand to those in need, often with no regard to their own safety and well-being. We are honored to shed light on extraordinary human rights defenders, medical workers, activists, humanitarians, and other brave modern-day heroes who give humanity hope for a brighter future and to raise global awareness of their daily work. This is especially crucial in times like these when solidarity is needed more than ever to alleviate human suffering.