Part of the issue stemmed from Alï al-Kassär's performing as a black character from the lower if not lowest rungs of Egyptian society and the question of whether such a character could possibly educate audiences about the goals of Egyptian nationalism. Recent criticism has defended al-Kassär's choice of character as a figure representative of many Nubians who had come to Egypt to seek their fortunes, and who tried to maintain their dig- nity in the face of British imperialism as well. In this sense, Osman abd al- Basit was an interesting emblem of the Nile Valley's unity, and proof that Nubians and Sudanese alike had the same nationalistic feelings and were staunch supporters of the call for cohesion made by the Egyptians in 1919. From this the argument could be drawn that Osman taught his audiences an important geographic lesson, in which the Sudan and Nubia must always be considered part and parcel of the Egyptian nation.

Eve M. Troutt Powell, A Different Shade of Coloni…, loc. 932