Lewis was also notable for his public debates with Edward Said, who accused Lewis and other orientalists of misrepresenting Islam and serving the purposes of imperialist domination, to which Lewis responded by defending Orientalism as a facet of humanism and accusing Said of politicizing the subject.
Lewis juga terkenal karena debat publiknya bersama dengan Edward Said, yang menuduh Lewis dan orientalis lainnya salah mengartikan Islam dan menyukseskan tujuan dominasi imperialis, yang ditanggapi Lewis dengan membela Orientalisme sebagai aspek humanisme dan menuduh Said mempolitisasi subjek.