"more than just a book; it is a witness, an act of resistance, and a voice that will not be silenced" review of IF I MUST DIE
Posted by Mondoweiss on February 20, 2025
"Alareer’s poems embody the essence of resistance, grief, steadfastness—sumud—and storytelling as survival. His poems are not just personal but reflect the cause of a whole people, narrating the resilience of a people who refused to be forgotten from generation to generation.
If I Must Die is a legacy, not just a book. His words will live on. Dr. Refaat Alareer’s words will last longer than the occupation he wrote about, and his poetry will continue to inspire people who fight for freedom. People will continue flying kites for him, and to outlive the memory of all martyrs. “His mind was unbreakable and beautiful and fine,” as Abulhawa put it. Likewise, his writing is painfully beautiful, portraying the grief, strength, and love that complete the Palestinian story and his loss was untimely tragic."