Cairo: Egypt’s foremost cartoonist, Mustafa Hussain, known for his socio-political caricatures, died of cancer on Saturday, the official Middle East News Agency. He was 79.
Launching a career in 1952, Hussain published his cartoons in several Egyptian publications, striking attention with his caricatures echoing ordinary Egyptians’ problems.
In 1974, he joined the state-run Al Akhbar press institution where he has published daily cartoons until his death. He teamed up with famed satirist Ahmad Rajab in creating cartoons carried by the weekly Akhbar Al Youm. Rajab provided ideas for Hussain, who translated them into capturing caricatures.
Hussain is credited with creating imaginary characters prompted by Egyptians’ woes and aspirations. One popular persona is called the “Peasant of Kafr Al Hanadwa”, whom Hussain used to poke fun at government officials and their policies. Hussain also published anti-US cartoons, mainly criticising Washington’s perceived bias to Israel.
“Mustafa Hussain was not an ordinary artist, but an artist with a high sense of responsibility, who knew that Egyptians eagerly waited for his satirical caricatures every day,” Ahmad Abdul Moati, a leading liberal poet, said. “ In particular, the series of cartoons he presented in cooperation with great satirist Ahmad Rajab taught the people how to bring the state and government to account.”
Hussain’s critics, however, accuse him of limiting his satirical cartoons to government officials and steering clear from taking jibes at Egypt’s successive presidents.
During his illustrious career, Hussain won several awards, including Egypt’s prestigious State Merit Prize and the Medal of Excellence. He became the head of the Egyptian Society for Cartoons in 1962 and illustrated a large collection of books.
Hussain was an ardent backer of Egypt’s incumbent President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi, who as the army chief, led the military’s overthrow of Islamist president Mohammad Mursi in July 2013. Hussain portrayed Al Sissi in caricature, printed in Egyptian Al Akhbar newspaper, as a superman rescuing Egypt, echoing an overwhelming belief among the ex-general’s loyalists.
Hussain’s funeral was held in Cairo on Saturday. Several institutions unveiled plans to hold tribute ceremonies in his memory.
