Arab Culture: Satire: Leading Arab-language poet, playwrite & satirist, Mohammed al-Maghout, dies at 72

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An unsigned obituary by Associated Press via Forbes (Apr3,2k6) records the contribution made by the outstanding Syrian literary figure who used humour to explore the darkside of his own culture's authoritarian regimes. He never defamed the Prophet of Islam, but didn't hesitate to lampoon lesser powers. Al-Maghout managed to win numerous awards at home and abroad, perhaps as a kind of protection of certain leaders for their own public perception. But that's a wee snarky, based entirely on supposition. Anyway, may he rest in peace and meet in "the dream of death" (Shakespeare) the Lord Jesus for that ultimate encounter we all experience in the Interim State (Calvin) before the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life Everlasting. - Anaximaximum