The Ameen Rihani Organization (ARO) has entered the ongoing debate surrounding the memorial project dedicated to the Pen League (Ar-Rabita al-Qalamiyya) and Mahjar writers in New York City, calling for the correction of what it described as a “historical misconception” regarding the identity of several prominent Lebanese Mahjar writers.
In a statement issued by the organization, ARO praised the project and the efforts made over the past years to bring the memorial to life, noting that the City of New York has recognized through this initiative the cultural and intellectual contributions of Mahjar literary figures such as Ameen Rihani, Kahlil Gibran, Mikhail Naimy, Elia Abu Madi, and others.
However, the organization pointed to what it described as a “historical issue” in identifying some of these writers solely as “Syrians” in the memorial’s informational panels, stressing that this description does not accurately reflect their Lebanese origins and cultural identity.
The statement explained that the term “Little Syria” was historically used in the early 20th century to refer to the neighborhood where immigrants from Greater Syria settled in New York. At the same time, it emphasized the importance of clearly acknowledging that several leading figures of the Pen League and Mahjar literature originated from Lebanon, including Ameen Rihani, Kahlil Gibran, Mikhail Naimy, Elia Abu Madi, and Afifa Karam.
The organization considered that grouping all these writers under a solely Syrian identity “falsifies their true identity,” adding that greater transparency and historical accuracy would provide the memorial with stronger credibility and cultural value.
ARO also commended the efforts undertaken by the Washington Street Historical Society over the past nine years to realize the project, expressing hope that these historical points would be corrected in a manner that preserves historical truth and respects the legacy of Lebanese Mahjar writers.
This position comes amid growing debate within Lebanese cultural and diaspora circles regarding the project, alongside increasing calls to involve the Lebanese community and relevant cultural institutions in any initiative related to the legacy of Mahjar writers and the history of Lebanese immigration to the United States.

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