Amber Warenski
Doaa El-Adl (Arabic: دعاء العدل; born 6 February 1979, in Damietta, Egypt) is one of the Arab world’s most influential and fearless cartoonists. Known for her bold, satirical illustrations that tackle politics, religion, and social injustice, El-Adl has been described as Egypt’s most famous female cartoonist. Her work—published in Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egypt’s leading independent newspaper—has sparked both admiration and controversy across the Middle East.
Doaa El-Adl — Infobox
| Full Name | Doaa El-Adl (Arabic: دعاء العدل) |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 February 1979 — Damietta, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Occupation | Cartoonist, Illustrator, Journalist |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Alexandria University (Graduated 2000) |
| Years Active | 2007 – present |
| Known For | Political and social satire, feminist and human-rights cartoons |
| Employer / Publications | Al-Masry Al-Youm, Al-Dustour, Rose al-Yūsuf, Sabah El Kheir, Qatr El Nada, Alaa-El Din, Bassem |
| Notable Works / Themes | Criticism of political corruption, women’s rights, religion and society in Egypt |
| Awards and Honors | • 2009 – Journalistic Distinction in Caricature (Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate) • 2013 – Forte dei Marmi Prize for Political Satire (Italy) • 2014 – Cartooning for Peace Award (presented by Kofi Annan) • 2016 – BBC 100 Women honoree |
| Style / Medium | Editorial and digital cartoons, political caricature, gender-equality illustration |
| Residence | Cairo, Egypt |
Early Life and Education
Doaa El-Adl was born in the port city of Damietta, Egypt, and developed a passion for art from an early age. Her natural talent for drawing and her deep curiosity about social issues led her to study Fine Arts at Alexandria University, where she graduated in 2000.
Her artistic education helped her refine her expressive, narrative-driven style—one that would later become a hallmark of her biting political and feminist commentary.
Career Beginnings: Breaking Barriers in Egyptian Cartooning
El-Adl began publishing her editorial cartoons in 2007, at a time when Egypt’s media landscape was still heavily male-dominated. She quickly gained attention for her sharp wit and fearless approach to taboo subjects.
Before joining Al-Masry Al-Youm, she worked for several prominent Egyptian publications, including:
- Al-Dustour
- Rose al-Yūsuf
- Sabah El Kheir
- Qatr El Nada
- Alaa-El Din
- Bassem
In 2009, she made history by becoming the first woman to win the Journalistic Distinction in Caricature Award from the Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate—an achievement that marked her as a trailblazer in a field long dominated by men.
Rise to Prominence and International Recognition
El-Adl’s cartoons gained global recognition for their courage and artistic quality. In 2014, she was honored by the French foundation Cartooning for Peace, an organization founded by Plantu and supported by the United Nations.
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who presented the award, described it as recognition for artists “who commit their voices and artistic talent to the cause of peace and tolerance, using the universal language of images to inform, educate, and celebrate our common humanity.”
Her impact extended beyond Egypt’s borders. In 2016, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women, an annual list celebrating influential and inspirational women around the world.
That same year, she also won the Forte dei Marmi Prize for Political Satire (Italy), in the category of International Satirical Drawings (2013 award year).
Artistic Style and Themes
Doaa El-Adl’s art is characterized by clean lines, symbolic imagery, and fearless social commentary. Her cartoons address issues that are often considered off-limits in the Arab world—religion, gender inequality, authoritarianism, and women’s rights.
1. Political Critique after the 2011 Egyptian Revolution
After the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, El-Adl’s work took a decisively political turn. She became openly critical of President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood’s use of religion as a political tool. Her cartoons captured the disillusionment of many Egyptians during that turbulent period.
2. The “Adam and Eve” Controversy (2012)
In December 2012, Al-Masry Al-Youm published one of El-Adl’s most controversial cartoons. It depicted an angel telling Adam and Eve that they could have stayed in the Garden of Eden if they had voted for the right candidate.
The cartoon was intended, El-Adl explained, to satirize “politicians who exploit religion to manipulate ordinary people.” However, it provoked outrage among conservative circles.
Salafi lawyer Khaled El-Masry, then Secretary General of the Salafist Front’s National Centre for Defending Freedoms, accused her of blasphemy, claiming that the cartoon insulted the role of Adam in Islam. Egypt’s Attorney General Talaat Abdallah opened an investigation, which was later dropped following the 2013 Egyptian coup d’état.
3. Standing Against Censorship and Religious Intimidation
The same year, El-Adl was again questioned by the prosecutor general for a cartoon critical of Islamist influence in Egyptian politics. The incident drew support from international cartoonists, including Brazilian artist Carlos Latuff, who created a drawing depicting El-Adl defending herself with a pencil shaped like a spear—a symbol of artistic resistance.
4. Advocacy for Women’s Rights
One of El-Adl’s most striking works appeared in February 2013, condemning female genital mutilation (FGM). The cartoon shows a sleazy-looking man climbing a ladder with scissors in hand, reaching toward a red flower positioned between a woman’s legs—an image that starkly illustrated the brutality of the practice.
In an interview with Clitoraid that same year, she said:
“Before the revolution, I was drawing casually about women’s issues. But now I draw to defend my own existence—my personal freedom, which was threatened under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Her unapologetic stance made her one of the leading feminist voices in the Arab art world.
5. Global Topics and Solidarity
Beyond Egyptian politics, El-Adl has also addressed international events through her art. Her 2016 cartoons covered:
- Brexit, symbolizing the uncertainty in Europe
- The Bacha Khan University attack in Pakistan, condemning extremism
- The Stop Violence Against Women campaign, highlighting global gender violence
Impact and Legacy
Doaa El-Adl’s influence extends far beyond journalism. She represents a new generation of Arab artists who use cartooning as a form of activism. Through satire, she challenges power structures, defends women’s rights, and promotes freedom of expression in societies where dissent is often punished.
Her courage has inspired both men and women across the Middle East to use art as a weapon against oppression. Today, she continues to draw for Al-Masry Al-Youm from her home in Cairo, remaining one of the most important voices in Egyptian visual journalism.
Awards and Honors
- 2009 – Egyptian Journalists’ Syndicate’s Journalistic Distinction in Caricature Award (first woman recipient)
- 2013 – Forte dei Marmi Prize for Political Satire (International Category, Italy)
- 2014 – Cartooning for Peace Award, presented by Kofi Annan
- 2016 – BBC 100 Women honoree
Doaa El-Adl’s Enduring Message
El-Adl’s art continues to provoke dialogue in Egypt and beyond. She has shown that cartoons are not just drawings—they are powerful instruments of truth and resistance. In societies where free speech is fragile, her pen has become both a weapon and a shield.
“Through my cartoons,” she once said, “I fight ignorance, hypocrisy, and fear. My pen is my freedom.”
