Mai Sayegh

May Musa Sayegh (; 1940 – 5 February 2023), also spelled Mai Sayegh, was a Palestinian poet, feminist, political activist, and writer.

Early life Sayegh was born in 1940 in Gaza city in Mandatory Palestine. She received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and sociology from the Cairo University. In 1954, she headed the women's section of the Ba'ath Party. In the aftermath of the Six Day War in 1967 and the occupation of the Gaza Strip, she fled Gaza and settled in Beirut.

Career Sayegh was the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) Women's Union from 1976 to 1986, and a member of the Palestine National Council (PNC). The General Union of Palestinian Women was itself formed in 1965 as a result of a PNC decision in 1964. She stated that the results of the conference were a success not only for Palestinians but "for all peoples fighting against racism, exploitation and foreign rule".

Beliefs

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Known for her strong anti-Zionist views, Sayegh once said that the goal of Palestinians was the liberation of Palestine and that "any Palestinian who wanted less was a traitor". Her poems have been published in prominent Arab magazines across the region such as the Al-Adab magazine in Lebanon, Aqlam magazine in Iraq. She has also participated in poetry festivals across the Arab World including in Beirut, Baghdad, Kuwait City, Oman, and Cairo. Her bold approach to empowering women has attracted criticism, with one commentator in 1981 stating that "she shouts too much".

Personal life and death Sayegh was married to Abu Hatam, a PLO official.