The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has announced the release of If I Must Die, a book by Palestinian poet, academic, and activist Dr. Refaat Alareer. The book, which is a collection of his poetry and prose, will be available starting December 10, 2024.
Dr. Alareer, who was murdered by the Israeli government on December 6, 2023, is remembered for his passionate advocacy for Palestinian rights. The attack, carried out using U.S.-made weapons, also killed his brother, sister, and their children. Just five weeks before his death, Dr. Alareer shared a powerful poem titled If I Must Die, which has since become a symbol of Palestinian resistance and resilience in the face of violence.
In a statement, CAIR condemned the assassination, calling it an attempt to silence Dr. Alareer’s voice. “Although the war criminals of the Israeli government killed Dr. Alareer, they failed to silence his voice,” the organization said. CAIR encourages Americans to host readings and discussions about Dr. Alareer’s work and its broader message of resistance and solidarity with oppressed peoples.
