On December 6, 2023, Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian writer, academic, and activist, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza. Following this tragic event, his poem If I Must Die has been widely shared and translated. The poem, which encourages the reader to tell the story of the martyred, reflects Alareer’s influential voice during his life and after his death.

To commemorate the enduring literary legacy of Dr. Alareer and to honor his academic journey, the HBKU students previously taught by Dr. Alareer are organizing an event in his memory. The gathering will feature recitations of his poetry, student-led panel discussions, and an open mic session.