HYDERABAD, Oct 18: Rich tribute was paid to the late Professor Edward Said at a meeting held at the Hyderabad Press Club on Saturday for his services towards the cause of the people of Palestine and the underdeveloped world.

The reference was organized by the Auratzaad Women Research and Publication.

In his paper, Prof Fareeduddin Shaikh, Philosophy department, University of Sindh, said that Edward Said in his writings had challenged the very reason on which orientalism was based.

He said the late professor was greatly influenced by French Philosopher Michel Foucault and he logically illustrated that beneath the discourse of orientalism lies the interaction of power and knowledge.

Dr Mehtab Ali Shah, International Relations department, University of Sindh, while paying tribute to the departed soul said that Prof Edward Said was one of the greater intellectuals of the world who had assailed American imperialistic policies in the world in general and Middle East in particular.

Prof Shah said that the late scholar not only supported the cause of Palestine which was his own cause but he also supported the people of the underdeveloped world.

Mr Amar Sindhu of Auratzaad said that the passing away of Professor Edward Said was not only a tremendous blow to Palestine but to the entire intellectual world, which believed in truth.