Big boots to fillSo much has already been said about the late Mahmoud Kahil that there is not much I can add in commendation. In all the years I have been reading Arab News (almost 20 now), I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing his cartoons.
Kahil was a brilliant artist, and he also had a very firm grasp of political and social events in the world. He, therefore, possessed that unique ability of making political points through the medium of witty depictions in the form of cartoons.
I wish his successor good luck, but with this advice: he has very big boots to step into.
Francis A. Andrew, Zarqa, Jordan
Each day, Kahil’s work brought humor, common sense and, yes, hope into our lives. One didn’t have to agree 100 percent with all his views to appreciate his genius. But one did have to consider his point of view very seriously and, on reflection, one usually found that the point he was making was not only challenging, but also compelling and morally valid.
I will miss his vigor, enthusiasm and honesty.
Jeffrey Jameson, Dhahran
I will miss Kahil. As a political cartoonist myself, I loved to come to your site every day and see what he was up to and how he approached various subjects. His passion for his causes and points of view were (and are still) an inspiration, and I often also found myself laughing out loud (when I wasn’t pounding the keyboard with anger — but that is the mark of a truly great cartoonist!)
I will miss his characters almost as much as I will miss him — especially his beleaguered-looking Mr. World, who seemed to speak for common people everywhere who are caught up in all the traumatic events of our current age. My warmest regards to his family and friends, and may God’s peace be upon them.
Brian Sullivan, Boston, Massachusetts, US
With little to look forward to in terms of true journalism in the American media and considering the current state of affairs of the Muslim world, Kahil’s passing away is a devastating loss to us Arabs and a relief to those he exposed and ridiculed.
Political cartoons will never be the same again without him.
Nizam Addien B. Yagoub, Abqaiq
Kahil’s cartoons were a beautiful and intelligent way to depict the concerns and circumstances of the Arab World, as well as a simple, direct way to show the non-Arabs what matters are essential and important for the Arab people. The cartoons were, for me, an excellent window into the Arabs’ rich, diverse and complex culture. He definitely helped me out of my ignorance about the Arab World.
Omar Dominguez, Mexico City, Mexico
Since I arrived in the Kingdom 12 years ago, it has been my habit to always open the editorial page first to see Kahil’s cartoon, even before reading the front-page news.
We have lost an artist who transformed international politics into art. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace.
Sajjad Zaheer, Riyadh
I was saddened to learn of Kahil’s passing. Many of his cartoons conveyed, better than many an editorial could, an understanding of what it meant to be an Arab in a world that hardly knows or cares to know.
My condolences to the family.
Armand DeLaurell, United States
I will always remember Kahil’s peace dove: wounded or bandaged or emigrating, it spoke of the battering that peace was taking in our region. I have a collection of his doves. I am sad that there will be no more of them.
Mohammad Amjad Ali, Jeddah
I was a great fan of Kahil’s daily cartoons, ever since my first arrival in Saudi Arabia in 1980. Whenever I opened Arab News, I would go to his cartoon of the day first. If it was really poignant, I would tear it out and add it to my "collection" — I have thousands.
He could be brutal in his depiction of the events of the day. But there was never any misunderstanding what point he was getting across. I always prayed that he would see a happy day; wouldn’t he have been delighted to draw his "dove of peace" standing on the victory podium?
Kahil, "Fi amanillah" — may you rest in God’s protection!
George Swan, Tampa, Florida, US
Truly, Kahil was a humanist and a champion of the downtrodden. In these times of ever-increasing rancorous rhetoric, his pen and ink, his voice of well-reasoned perspective will be sorely missed. His passing is a great loss to us all. My condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
At this moment, it seems that he cannot be replaced. I pray that another imbued with a similar spirit will, in time, make his or her mark in the publications Kahil has graced with his work.
J. Knox, United States
The black that filled the space for the daily cartoon was symbolic of the void Kahil has left. His death is an immeasurable loss not only to the Arab media but also to the world of wit and humor.
I request that Arab News publish a collection of his wonderful works in book form.
Kaunain Shahidi, Buraydah
Kahil’s cartoons used to represent, for me, half of Arab News. We will miss his view of world events. May Allah have Mercy on him.
Saeed Khan, Dammam
I just wanted to express my dismay on learning that Mahmoud Kahil has passed away.
I became familiar with his work just in the last year, and had enjoyed it immensely. His work was enlightening about Arab perception of world events without straying into repulsive extremism. Whether I found his cartoons silly, clever, (or most often) elucidating, his talent was undeniably world-class. I regret I discovered him so late, and I know he’ll be sorely missed.
Evan Kennedy, Anchorage, Alaska
I have just read of the sudden death of Mahmoud Kahil with grief. My condolences to his family. And also to Arab News and its readers.
Riaz Murtaza, Toronto, Canada
Though I did not always agree with Mahmoud Kahil’s sentiments, I was educated, sometimes chastened, and always given balance by his editorial cartoons.
The world shall miss him.
Peace be with you, Mahmoud.
D.G. Fraser, United States
Seeing the news about Kahil’s passing, I am deeply saddened. His cartoons said more in one picture than pages and pages of commentary. He wasn’t afraid to point the finger at anyone. And, his fairness opened my heart to the shared values we all have that transcend our fears and differences.His drawings will be sorely missed in the coming days. Please pass my condolences on to his wife and family.
I hope that Arab News will find an individual of talent and good heart to carry on.
David Powell, Jeddah
I was saddened to learn of Kahil’s untimely death.
As an American, I will miss his biting and jarring political satires which were brilliantly sketched in a cartoon format. Whether one agreed or not with his views, Kahil’s cartoons were outstanding, often highly amusing, and always clever, but, most importantly, they always provoked further thought.
Kahil will be sorely missed by your newspaper and your readers, and missed by your readers in the West, by those of us who are curious about opposing viewpoints, especially, when those views are sprinkled with a dash of humor.
Ellen Baker, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
I must say I am quite saddened by the news of Kahil’s departure. In one image, he could make absolutely crystal clear a situation that words only made hazy. I will miss him.
Diane Caron, California, US
I am saddened to read of the death of Mahmoud Kahil, a cartoonist of such outstanding ability. The completely unexpected announcement of his passing away was indeed a shock.
His portrayals of the sufferings of the Palestinian people in the face of world apathy have spoken volumes. The totally unforgettable cartoon of Feb. 3 was a despairing depiction of this apathy.
My condolences to his wife and family.
John Francis, Australia
