February 14, 1979 marks the death of the "prince of wit" i.e. Fikri Abaza. Mohamed Fikri Hussein Abaza, commonly known as Fikri Abaza was a journalist and politician; he was born in Al-Sharqiya governorate in 1896. Abaza was graduated from the Faculty of Law in 1917. He worked as a lawyer in the Upper Egyptian city of Assuit.

Impressed by the National Party leaders Mohammed Fareed and Mostafa Kamel, he was heavily involved in the party's political activities, both as member of the party's administrative committee in 1921 and as member of Parliament in 1926.

As a journalist, he joined several key magazines and newspapers including al-Ahram and al-Mussawar.

His writings showed a commitment to a purely patriotic attitude, antagonism to foreign domination and impartiality to political parties.

He had a peculiar style, tinged with sarcasm and straightforwardness that had a sweeping appeal. He was famous for his columns such as "Open Letters", "Truthful Words" and "The Pretty Spy". Abaza candid and objective.

For about 50 years (1924-1975), Abaza was associated with al-Mussawar magazine, where he contributed around 5,500 articles covering several areas such as politics, art, social criticism, economics and literature. His last article published on the day of his death; February 14, 1979, touched on the necessity of Arab solidarity and discarding dissension.

Moreover, Abaza was a radio speaker of a peculiar enchanting style. His radio talks were tools through which he criticized social ills in a style that was both enlightening and interesting to his listeners. His T.V talks had an equally attractive sarcastic and meaningful style.

In addition, Abaza wrote a number of books, most important of which was "The Laughing/Weeping Man", where he expressed his innermost patriotic and personal feelings.