Interviewer: Aimee Bachari

Project: University of Houston

Wagih Abu-Rish was born in Al-Eizariyah, or Bethany, Palestine in 1942. He left with his siblings in 1947 as the Arab-Israeli War intensified, first staying with family in Egypt and later joining his father in Lebanon where he finished high school. Abu-Rish came to the United States in 1961 to attend the University of Houston on a scholarship through an oil company. He graduated in 1966. During his time at the University of Houston he served in the Organization of Arab Students (OAS) and as president of the International Student Organization. Later, he served as vice president of the national OAS. Abu-Rish continues to work on Arab American causes, mainly civil rights, human rights, immigration, and public policy.