
Dr. Said lives his novel
By DAVE HENDRICKSON, Daily News Writer
November 25, 1981






When Dr. Mohammed Said was in high school, he wrote a fiction novel about himself and titled it “Abu-Hassan.” Abu-Hassan pictured Said as a young man traveling all over the world and doctoring to the poor who are not capable of affording sufficient medical attention.
“I’m trying to follow those footsteps that I wrote about in my novel,” said Said.
Doctor Said was born in Haifa, Palestine. In 1947 his family had to flee the West Bank of Jordan when the state of Israel was formed. Again in 1967 they had to flee to the East Bank of Jordan. His aunt who raised him, and his sister, Fihmya, live 30 miles north of Jerusalem today.
Said taught elementary school in Amman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia before he began his studies in medicine.
“I chose to study in Granada, Spain, for it has the Moorish-Arabic culture still. The Spanish conquered Granada from the Moors in 1492, the same year Columbus discovered America,” Said said.
After completing school in Granada, Said earned his Ph.D. at the University of Madrid in preventive medicine. specialization in internal medicine.
In 1973 Said immigrated to Ottawa, Canada where his brother was residing.
Said obtained his license to practice medicine in the United States in 1974. “I chose to practice in North Dakota because it was one of the few states that didn’t require a visa or citizenship document,” he said.
While Said was taking his exams in Bismarck, Shelly Jeanette, a physician recruit from Medina convinced Said to start his practice in Carrington. “I arrived there on Frontier Day. It was fascinating. I had heard about the Western style and had seen movies about cowboys. I liked the people so I decided to stay,” added Said.
Even while living in North Dakota, Said still traced the footprints of his life that he predestined in his novel. “I have been involved in social and political organizations. I am one of the founders of the Islamic Medical Association of the United States, and I founded the Islamic Medical Association in Europe. This organization helps poor countries in Africa and Asia, but we do help other individuals that are not Islamic also,” stated Said.
In 1976 Said joined the North Dakota Trade Mission headed by Arthur Link, the N.D. governor at the time, and Attorney Allen Olson.
“We visited Egypt and Jordan on the mission. While in Jordan I visited with my wife, Nadia’s family. I asked for her hand and we were married in three days,” said Said.
Said stayed in the Middle East for a short time. “1 met with King Khalad of Saudi Arabia regarding the Arab community in U.S.A.”
Said’s missions have taken him to Iran twice. “When the hostages were in Iran I went there to help defuse the crisis. I spent three weeks there and asked them to allow the American doctors to examine the hostages,” he said.
This June, Said went back to Iran to aid the earthquake victims. ‘I was invited by the chairman of the Red Crescent, which is an equivalent to the Red Cross. While There, I got caught in their civil war. The friend I was to meet had disappeared, but now is safe in the United States,” he said.
Before returning to the states, Said traveled to Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Spain. ‘I became an American citizen in spring, but I still plan to go back and work in Palestine and other poverty-stricken areas and provide medical help on a temporary basis. I will keep America as my home base, however. As long as my future here doesn’t conflict with my help overseas. I will stay here.’ Said said.
Said is very dedicated to his practice, but finds time to enjoy activities with his family.
“Most of the time is spent with medical practice. As you know a doctor is like a priest – he must be available at all times. I like reading the National Geographic and Christian Science, and I like listening to Anne Murray.’ said Said, explaining his entertainment pleasures.
Although Said is many miles form his homeland, he feels at ease. “I am very happy being a U.S. citizen. America is a land of immigrants and I feel I can contribute in my way through my heritage and culture without melting into the Anglo-Saxon melting pot,” he said.
The Saids have three children. Yasser, Noor Falasteen (Meaning light of Palestine), and Hashem (holy name).
“Every year we visit Syria so the children will not forget the Arabic culture. They are not encouraged to speak English at home so they will not also forget the language.” mentioned Said.
“It has been my dream in my life to help overcome racial, language, and nationality differences in the world,” Said said.
Said’s blueprint of his life he wrote as a teenager has been amazingly followed by him, hut he does not intend to live up to the final chapter of his novel.
“At the end of my story, the hero dies tragically in some underdeveloped country,” he said.
Medical Background
4 June 1973 Letter from Dr. Paul de Bellefeuille (French)
Letter from Dr. Paul de Bellefeuille (French)
read more23 May 1973 Letter from JM Last
Letter from JM Last
read more18 May 1973 Letter from M.Ghobrial
Letter from M.Ghobrial
read more14 May 1973 Letter from Abdahak Barrete (Spanish)
Letter from Abdahak Barrete (Spanish)
read more18 April 1973 Letter of recommendation from LP Ivan
Letter of recommendation from LP Ivan
read more5 March 1973 Letter of recommendation from Dr. Sun
Letter of recommendation from Dr. Sun
read more28 November 1972 Letter of recommendation from Gaston Suave, M.D.
Letter of recommendation from Gaston Suave, M.D.
read more6 November 1972 Letter of performance history at OGH from J.J. Laurier, Medical Director
Letter of performance history at OGH from J.J. Laurier, Medical Director
read more17 August 1972 Response from Dr. Sharif
Response from Dr. Sharif
read more3 August 1972 Letter to Dr. Sharif
Letter to Dr. Sharif
read more6 July 1972 Letter of confirmation from LP Ivan, M.D.
Letter of confirmation from LP Ivan, M.D.
read more22 February 1972 Letter of acceptance as intern at Ottawa GH
Letter of acceptance as intern at Ottawa GH
read more15 January 1972 Invitation to University of Alcala to be presented with Ph.D. (Spanish)
Invitation to University of Alcala to be presented with Ph.D. (Spanish)
read moreMedical Certificates
Pictures of Dr. Said’s Plaques and Degrees. Click on any image to view full gallery.
Life, Family, Letters, Articles, Pictures
Letters and Articles written by Dr. Said’s children
23 August 2001 Yasser Said attending MCP Hahnemann medical school
23 August 2001 Yasser Said attending MCP Hahnemann medical school
read moreMarch 2001 Hashem Said Responds to a misguided article
Letters to the Editor
read moreLetter from Noor Falesteen Said to the Emir of of Province Dammam in Saudi Arabia
7 January 1997 Letter from Noor Said to Emir Mohammad Ben Fahd Ben Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia regarding the imprisonment of her uncles
read more1996 Yasser Said’s “The Hidden Israel”
1996 Yasser Said’s “The Hidden Israel”
read moreNoor’s Poem
Noor’s Poem
read more1 September 1994 Noor Said selected for poetry anthology
1 September 1994 Noor Said selected for poetry anthology
read moreDr. Said’s Life
January 1998 Ramadan comes to a close
Ramadan comes to a close
read moreOctober 1997 Dr. Said’s Brochure (Arabic)
Dr. Said’s Brochure (Arabic)
read moreMay 1993 Dr. Said’s “In Memory of my Patients”
“In Memory of my Patients”
read more27 June 1991 Doctor with in-law in Kuwaiti prison
Doctor with in-law in Kuwaiti jail calls for lifting of Iraq sanctions
read more1990 Islam in America (Arabic)
Islam in America (Arabic)
read more19 July 1989 Letter to Dr. Said from Amblin Entertainment
Dr. Said from Amblin Entertainment
read more27 June 1989 Letter to Steven Spielberg
Letter to Steven Spielberg
read more17 February 1989 Letter to Dr. Said from Jonis Davis from SCIPP
Letter to Dr. Said from Jonis Davis from SCIPP
read more1 January 1987 Dr. Said’s Ten Commandments
DR. SAID’S TEN COMMANDMENTS
read more29 March 1983 Islam in America (Arabic)
20 March 1982 Life filled with new beginnings
For Corsica doctor, life filled with new beginnings
read more29 May 1972 Letter from Abdullah Hakim
Letter to Dr. Said from Abdullah Hakim
read more14 September 1957 Mohammad Said’s High School Diploma (Arabic)
14 September 1957 Mohammad Said’s High School Diploma (Arabic)
read more1 July 1955 A High School report card for Mohammad Said (Arabic)
1 July 1955 A High School report card for Mohammad Said (Arabic)
read more22 October 1938 Dr. Said’s birth certificate
22 October 1938 Dr. Said’s birth certificate
read moreFor Appointments Contact Dr. Said
Social Events