Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer remembered by CAIR one year after his death
Photo by Ibrahim Mohtar sourced from The Star.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, has paid tribute to Palestinian writer, poet, and educator Refaat Alareer on the first anniversary of his death.
Alareer was killed on December 6, 2023, in a targeted airstrike while seeking refuge with his family. The tragic attack also claimed the lives of his brother, nephew, sister, and three children.
Refaat Alareer was widely recognized for his dedication to using the English language as a medium for liberation and advocacy. Through his poetry and writings, he inspired a global audience with messages of resilience, love, and hope. His poignant poem If I Must Die has become a symbol of resistance and a call to carry forward his legacy.
To honor Alareer’s contributions, a new collection of his work, If I Must Die, will be released on December 10. The compilation, curated by Yousef Aljamal, features Alareer’s poetry, prose, and interviews, ensuring that his voice continues to resonate across the world.
CAIR emphasized the importance of remembering Alareer’s life and work, urging supporters to ensure his message of hope and resilience reaches a wider audience. “We have the power to honor his memory and ensure his message reaches the world,” the organization stated.
The upcoming release serves as a tribute to Alareer’s enduring impact and a reminder of the human cost of conflict in Gaza.
