RIYADH/JEDDAH, 13 February 2003 — A creative thinker, political analyst and humorist, Mahmoud Kahil bestrode the world of caricature like a colossus, deflating the egos of political bigwigs with his satire and his profound political insight while showing a deep concern for the poor, oppressed and dispossessed, regardless of their politics or religious belief.
His imagination carried him mainly across the political landscape of the Middle East, with occasional forays into Indo-Pakistani politics, European affairs, the US and the UN.
What gave Kahil the resources to produce his incisive thought capsules day after day? The answer is twofold: His experience with Al-Osbou Al-Araby (The Arab Week) as a graphic designer and his intensive reading of political literature.
Together, they produced a potent combination of sharp and economical drawing with wide-ranging political insight and even foresight. One superb example was his recent cartoon showing US President George W. Bush in the ring, while French President Jacques Chirac, gloves and all, also being shoved into the ring, much to the glee of his Arab supporters. Today France, along with Germany and Russia, is at the forefront of the anti-war campaign, even as the US and its allies are itching for a war against Iraq.
According to Nasr Al-Majali, political editor of Elaph.com, an Arabic e-magazine published from London, Kahil was an institution whose death has created a void in the realm of Arabic cartoons that will be difficult to fill for decades to come.
“Kahil drew cartoons either in the office or at home. He worked alone and was accountable to no one,” said Al-Majali, who knew Kahil for 23 years during their time at the London head office of Asharq Al-Awsat. “He had a deep understanding and a unique style of summing up the political situation in the Arab world.”
After the Palestinian cartoonist Najl Al-Aly was gunned down by unidentified assassins in London in 1987, Kahil pitched in with his arsenal in defense of the Arab cause. He continued to poke fun at political leaders until the last day of his life and entertained his audience even as he educated them on the issues of the day.
Nick Abbot and Salah Taha of the British Embassy described Kahil’s death as a great loss to the Arab media, adding that Kahil’s cartoons were worth a thousand words. He made you laugh, angry or sad with a stroke of his pen, they said.
Philippine Ambassador Bahnarim Guinola said he would always turn to Kahil’s cartoons in Arab News first. “He was the best among the cartooninsts on geopolitical issues. His art of communication was direct and easy to understand. He was precise and incisive. He will be hard to replace.”
Sayed Ehsanul Haque, convenor of the Pakistan Repatriation Council was among those paying tribute. “He used to make our day with his cartoons on the burning issues of the day,” he said. “His sketches on the editorial page spoke volumes. His cartoons were timely and expressive, and his concept of expression transcended language barriers. Some of his cartoons, particularly on the Middle East peace process, Iraq or the post-Sept. 11 events are sharply etched in our minds.”
The Middle East “had lost its best cartoonist, who could be compared to the legendary R.K. Lakshman of the Times of India,” said journalists Mustafa Hashim and K.U. Iqbal. “While we mourn his loss, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon must be happy about the end of an era,” Hashim added.
Kahil had a penchant for lampooning Sharon, having mastered the man’s rotundity with such precision that it required no caption to identify him. Whether it was in Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News or other SRPC publications, one would often see Sharon with his mouth dripping with the blood of Palestinian children, or sitting on a chair with a mound of skeletons underneath.
President Bush and his predecessor Bill Clinton also came under critical scrutiny. We especially remember Bill at a fast food restaurant handing out the “flaming pigeons” that signified the death of the peace process.
Urdu journalist K.N. Wasif said Kahil was never in need of words to convey his message. Thus when he depicted Sharon as a giant and Bush as a midget taking orders from his master, the message was not lost on the readers, he added.
Arab News Features 13 February 2003
