Aref Assaf

November 7, 2007

Immortalizing the late Palestinian American thinker, Edward Said, was no easy task for those who endeavored to put up a mural recognizing his limitless impact on the Palestine cause, the intellectual history of Islam and Arab cultures and on other great academic disciplines. Early on,  we at the AAF joined many student, local and national organization in endorsing the mural. I laude the General Union of Palestine Students  in their fights to accomplish this no small accomplishment.

Edward Said was a Palestinian-American literary theorist, author, and Palestinian activist. He was a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University. He is regarded as a founding figure in postcolonial theory, author of seminal works like “Orientalism.” He died in 2003 from myelogenous leukemia.
We now can celebrate this august achievement. After a two and a half year battle with campus administration, San Francisco State University became the first school to showcase a Palestinian cultural mural honoring Dr. Edward Said. Beyond  our  shared love for knowledge and  devotion to the cause of justice for the Palestinian people, I also shared a special affinity with Edward Said. He taught at my Alma Mata, Columbia University and my memories of him go beyond national aspirations. He was an inspiration for me and remains. Aref

Articles on the mural:

For a description of the mural and what it entails

Arab American News

GUPS