Mustafa Murrar

Mustafa Murrar (مصطفى مرار) (28 February 1929 – 14 December 2021) was an Israeli Palestinian storyteller and children's author. He published hundreds of stories, essays and children's stories, including 18 short story collections, novels and children's books for a total of 86 books. He also edited 22 books. His stories have been translated into Arabic, English, French, Spanish and German.

Early life and education Murrar was born and raised in a family of farmers in the Palestinian village of Jaljulia, near the city of Qalqilya, in Mandatory Palestine. He finished his primary studies in the school of Qalqilya due to the lack of a school in his village at the time. He then moved to study and graduate with distinction from the Amiri School in Qalqilya. While serving with the Palestinian Forces in the Israeli War of Independence, he was injured in an explosion and lost his leg. He was taken for treatment in Nablus Hospital, but was forced to return to Jaljulia in 1949 following the Rhodes Agreement, according to which his village was included in the Triangle area within the Israeli borders.

In 1952, after the establishment of the State of Israel, he finished his studies at the Teachers’ Seminar in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Israel, and then joined the education system. In 1988 he was awarded the Israeli Prime Minister's award for Arabic Literature which he refused to accept.

Select works Among his most notable books: Alkhaima Almathqooba, 1970 Tareeq El-Alam, 1970 Qiladato ElAfa'a, 1972 Ibni Fi Eljamea, 1972 Janaztu El Shaitan, 1972 Himaruna Wa Baretania, 1972 Dama Wa Ramad, 1972 Alsharee Al Taweel, 1972 Alteen Wa Alshayateen, 1974 Ayam Baladna, 1983 Kitab Althawra, 1987 Almashroo'a, 1987 Alqonbula Alsharqia, 1988 Awraq Matrood Elhalawani, 1997 Nas Min Alnas, 1997

Death Murrar died on 14 December 2021, at the age of 92. His death was widely covered by the Palestinian media and his funeral was attended by thousands including former students, colleagues, local politicians, and members of the press.