Cairo: Egypt’s top satirist, Ahmad Rajab, best known for his daily jibes in the semi-official newspaper Al Akhbar, died on Friday after a long struggle with illness, the publisher said. He was 85.
“The most famed satirist in Egypt and the Arab world has passed away,” Al Akhbar said in a tribute to Rajab, also known as the doyen and Shaikh of satirists.
Born in the Mediterranean Sea city of Alexandria in November 1928, Rajab earned a degree in law before launching an illustrious career in journalism. His satirical talent was discovered by Egypt’s famed twin journalists Ali and Mustafa Ameen, who established Al Akhbar.
Rajab rose to fame when he started writing Half a Word, a short daily column that appeared for more than 50 years in Al Akhbar. In this column of very few lines, he poked fun of almost everything including government’s policy, politicians and even himself.
In the 1970s, Rajab teamed up with prominent cartoonist Mustafa Hussain to produce daily caricatures also published in Al Akhbar. Rajab continued to inspire Hussain with ideas for his cartoons until the latter’s death last month.
In late 1970, Egypt’s then president Anwar Al Sadat fell flat with Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, a row that inspired Rajab and Hussain to co-produce a series of caricatures lampooning the Libyan leader.
The scathing attack reportedly infuriated Gaddafi against the duo whom he ordered be barred from entering Libya.
Gaddafi’s loyalists threatened Rajab and Hussain with death, according to media reports.
Rajab also published a series of satirical books, some of which have been turned into popular TV serials and films. In one book, he disclosed that he wanted to be a singer, but when he failed he decided to be a journalist.
“Rajab’s death is a grave loss for the Egyptian press,” said prominent writer Yousuf Al Qaeed. “Through his daily column of three lines, Rajab could sum up a complicated political situation to the reader in a simple and satirical way,” Al Qaeed told private TV Al Mehwar.
During his long career, Rajab earned several awards. The last was the Best Column Prize from the Dubai Press Club.
