The Stolen Dream | A Biography of Sayed Musa al-Sadr

Very few individuals have changed the course of their country’s history. Fewer still have done so with love and wisdom, rather than violence and anger. Sayed Musa al-Sadr, a scholar, social reformer, and political leader devoted his life to being a voice for the voiceless and marginalised of all faiths and backgrounds in Lebanon. As the country struggled with occupation and civil war, his message of unity, service, and respect for human dignity struck a chord with the masses.

Sayed Musa was more than just a leader; he became a spiritual symbol that transcended religious divides. To Muslims, he became revered as Imam Musa al-Sadr. To Christians, he was hailed as the ‘embodiment of the spirit of Jesus’. Even the secular left respected his advocacy for justice and human freedom. The sheer magnitude of his influence was such that a Christian compatriot once remarked: ‘Lebanon’s history could be divided into two: before Sayed Musa and after Sayed Musa.’

Sayed Musa is still a hugely popular figure in Lebanon. His legacy lives on through the various schools, charities, and institutes that he established. Most of all, he lives on in the hearts of the millions he helped, directly and indirectly, in a life of selfless service. The Stolen Dream narrates the gripping story of his extraordinary journey, from the seminaries of Qom and Najaf to his mysterious disappearance in Libya at the peak of his influence.