Two Portraits in Resistance: Abu ‘Umar and Mahjub ‘Umar

These two short portraits were drawn by individuals close to their subjects. That of Abu 'Umar was penned by his wife, Jehan Helou, his companion and comrade in the Resistance. That of Mahjub 'Umar was written by Elias Khoury, editor of our Arabic-language sister publication, Majallat al-Dirasat al-Filastiniyya, who knew him well during his years in Beirut and later Cairo. The two remembrances are very different. Jehan Helous is more descriptive, more explicitly biographical, and gives prominence to her husbands political views. Elias Khourys obituary for his friend is more evocative, allusive. But in evoking these exceptionalyet representativemen, they eloquently convey the spirit of an era long gone. The Journal of Palestine Studies is fortunate to be able to present them. Adapted from the source document.