Many will fondly remember the Egyptian-born Omar Sharif, who was laid to rest yesterday, for his starring roles in Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia. With timeless good looks and enchanting charisma on the silver screen, Sharif was the quintessential Hollywood star in an era dominated by heartthrobs. Beyond his many talents on the screen, Sharif will be remembered for something much more inspirational in the Middle East. He was unreservedly proud of his Arab heritage and let it guide his career.
Few Arab actors have been able to cross over from Arabic cinema to Hollywood. Even fewer have been able to blend an urbane outlook on the world with a decidedly Arab perspective. Omar Sharif did both. At a time when Muslims are deeply misunderstood in the West, Sharif was an example of a successful and proud Arab who was able to bridge cultures. For that, he will be an inspiration to young Arabs for generations to come.
