Naji al-Ali
Master caricaturist, poignant critic of Palestinian plight.
Date of Birth:
1936
Al-Shajara, Tiberias, Palestine
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
His art profoundly influenced Arab political discourse and Palestinian identity.
Brief bio
Naji al-Ali was a distinguished Palestinian cartoonist known for his critical commentary on the Palestinian condition and Arab politics. His work is revered for its poignant satire and symbolism, particularly the character “ Handala,” which has become an icon of Palestinian resistance.
Major Milestones
Contributions
1959 - Enrolled at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts but dropped out due to detentions by the Lebanese Army.
1969 - Created Handala, the ten-year-old character symbolizing the Palestinian Case.
1979 - Elected Secretary General of the League of Arab Caricaturists and a member of the Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists.
1985 - Expelled from Kuwait, sought refuge in London, and worked at the international Al-Qabas newspaper.
1987 - Assassinated in London, marking an abrupt end to his influential career.
Introduced Handhala, a symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance...See More
His cartoons offered a biting criticism of the Palestinian and Arab political situation, with a collection numbering nearly fourteen thousand drawings...See More
Won the first prize in the Exhibition of Arab Caricatures in Damascus in 1979...See More
Posthumously awarded "The Golden Pen of Freedom" in 1988 by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers...See More
His life and work were celebrated in films and the establishment of The Naji al-Ali Cultural Center in Beirut.
Date of Last Update:
September 3, 2024
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