Fikri Abaza

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 1837. Abaza graduated from the faculty of law in 1917. He worked as a lawyer in the Upper Egypt city of Assuit.

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

As a journalist, he wrote in several important magazines and newspapers including al-Ahram and al-Mussawar.

His writings showed a commitment to a purely patriotic attitude, antagonism to foreign domination. He was impartial to political parties and enjoyed good relations with statesmen.

He had a peculiar style, tinged with sarcasm and straightforwardness that had a sweeping appeal with his readers and listeners. He was known for his standing columns such as "Open Letters", "Truthful Words" and "The Pretty Spy". Abaza wrote both candidly and objectively.

For about 50 years (1924-1975) Abaza was associated with al-Musawar (The Photographer) magazine, to which he contributed around 5500 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, dealt with need for Arab solidarity and the necessity of discarding dissension.

Moreover, Abaza was a radio speaker of a peculiar enchanting style. His radio shows were tools through which he would criticize society's ills in a style that was both enlightening and interesting to his listeners. His T.V shows 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 private feelings.

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