Faris Bouhafa, 60, whose life's work combined the unlikely duo of rock and roll music and peace activism, died September 8, 2006 at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC from complications following surgery for lung cancer.

Born in New York City, the first child of Irish-American New Yorker Dorothy McGinn Bouhafa, and noted Tunisian intellectual Abed Bouhafa, Faris Bouhafa lived a life of dichotomies. After spending his childhood and teens moving between Greewich Village in New York City, and his father's home country of Tunisia, Bouhafa settled in New York to attend Columbia University. Bouhafa's college years coincided with the turmoil and upheaval of the late 1960s, and he was soon drawn to the anti-war movement. He became actively involved in the Columbia student uprisings of 1968 protesting the Vietnam war, sparking the activism that was to become a major theme in his life.

The anti-war movement wasn't the only iconic aspect of the 60s that attracted Bouhafa. After graduating from Columbia in 1970, a chance encounter with young folk legend Bob Dylan at a bar in Greenwich Village opened the door for Bouhafa to explore the other major theme in his life: music, resulting in a notable career in the music business. He worked in artist and record management at CBS Records, overseeing the label's work with Bob Dylan. Bouhafa was one of the CBS executives who traveled with Dylan's entourage during the famous Rolling Thunder Revue of 1975 to 1976.

Bouhafa went on to work as manager of popular New York City rock club Max's Kansas City in the late 1970s, overseeing legendary shows that included the famed booking of then unknown Bob Marley as opening act for only the slighly better-known Bruce Springsteen.

Bouhafa went on to form his own music management and production company, managing illustrious musicians including Springsteen saxophone player Clarence Clemons in his solo career, and internationally-known singer-songwriter Carolyne Mas.

Bouhafa's interest in activism was rekindled in the early 1980s, after meeting with noted writer and pro-Palestinian activist Edward Said, who urged Bouhafa to put his efforts toward Arab-American activism and the growing Palestinian crisis. Bouhafa moved from New York City to Washington, DC, to take the position as Media Director for the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, an advocacy group. In that role, he frequently appeared on television and radio to discuss the Palestinian crisis, and other issues affecting peace in the Middle East.

Bouhafa did not neglect his love life during this time, meeting Palestinian-American Abla Majaj in 1991, and marrying her in 1994 in a bohemian, eclectic combination wedding/ couscous feast held at the Adams-Morgan bistro Cafe Riche.

During this time Bouhafa moved to another advocacy group, the American Arab Institute, where he worked in media relations and strategic communications under the guidance of noted activist Jim Zogby. After working with AAI, Bouhafa spent several years working independently, day-trading on the stock market during the exciting and tumultous period of the Internet and IPO boom of the late 1990s.

Bouhafa returned to the Arab American Institute as a consultant in 2000, producing the organization's annual Khalil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards since 2000. Bouhafa brought in special guests and honorees including singer Sting, Jordan's Queen Noor, actress Mary Louise Parker, and noted Palestinian hiphop poet Suheir Hammad. In his role as producer, he added a unique flair and entertainment industry pizzazz to this popular annual event.

Bouhafa is survived by his wife, Abla Majaj of Washington, DC, brother Moncef Bouhafa of Potomac, MD, lifetime muse Bob Dylan, and many loving relatives and dear friends across America and the Middle East.

Memorial contributions to honor Faris' life and work can be made to the Arab-American Institute Foundation, 1600 K St, NW Ste 601, Washington, DC 20006, http://www.aaiusa.org/foundation.