After her remarks at Columbia University.. Najla Said at the heart of political and media controversy
Cairo - Alwasat Gate: Nahla Al-Arabi Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:47 AM
Najla Said sparks wide interaction by defending pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia (Internet)
Palestinian-American writer and playwright Najla Said sparked widespread controversy following her remarks about the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in the United States, leading to an escalation of supportive and opposing reactions to her positions on social media platforms.
Said's comments came during a media interview in which she discussed Columbia University's administration's handling of the sit-ins and student protests related to the war in Gaza; she expressed her dissatisfaction with the way the crisis was managed within the campus, considering that many students exercised their right to peaceful expression of their opinions.
Said, daughter of the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, said that her father would have felt proud of many of the students participating in the protests, noting that what she witnessed during her visit to the site was peaceful and organized.
Controversy in American universities
These statements sparked mixed reactions; they were welcomed by supporters of the Palestinian cause as a defense of freedom of expression and civil rights, while facing criticism from parties who saw her positions as ignoring concerns related to security and combating anti-Semitism within American universities.
These developments come amid continuing debate within several American universities about the limits of freedom of expression and student political activism, especially on issues related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has become a major focus of discussion within academic and media circles in recent months.
About Najla Said
Najla Said is an American writer, playwright, and actress of Palestinian origin, known for her literary and theatrical works that address issues of identity, belonging, and Arab culture in the United States. She is also the daughter of the prominent Palestinian intellectual and academic Edward Said, one of the most prominent intellectual voices in the study of Orientalism and contemporary cultural criticism.
