(1935-2003) A leading intellectual figure in the
Palestinian Diaspora/refugee community and in the international discourse about
Israel/
Palestine. Said was a prominent literary critic and professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University in New York. A prolific author, he is known for his anti-colonialist and anti-Orientalist writings. He also commonly wrote and spoke out about the Palestinian cause, the abuses caused by
Israeli occupation, his opposition to the Oslo Process and his criticism of the governance of Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman
Yasser Arafat. See "
Obituary: Edward Said," Malise Ruthven, The Guardian, September 26, 2003.