Emad Hajjaj | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1967 (age 56–57) West Bank, Jordan |
| Nationality | Jordanian |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts, Yarmouk University |
| Known for | drawing caricatures |
| Website | www |
Emad Hajjaj (Arabic: عماد حجاج) is a Palestinian-Jordanian editorial cartoonist.[1][2][3] He is best known for his work in Al Ra'i and the Jordan Times daily newspapers.[4]
Emad was born in Jordan's West Bank in 1967.[5] He received his art education at Yarmouk University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 after majoring in graphic design and with a minor in journalism.[6]
Emad is the brother of Osama Hajjaj who is also a cartoonist and political caricaturist.[7] The brothers are actually aware of the challenges involved in publishing political cartoons in strife-torn Middle East. Both have been victims of intimidation and have received death threats on account of their satirical work, especially for cartoons directed at ISIS.[8]
During the Pan Arab games held in Amman, Emad published a cartoon which pointed out the irony that a nation could be proud when it allowed honor killings to continue.[4] In 2008, an exhibition of his work, featuring 100 drawings was held at the city hall of Ra's al-'Ayn,[9] and he was a contributor to the Lighting Lamps exhibition which was sponsored by the British Council.[10]
On 26 August 2020, Emad was arrested in Jordan under the cybercrime law after publishing a caricature criticising the Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement.[11] The drawing depicted a UAE political leader, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, holding a white peace dove on which is painted the Israeli flag. The crown prince is visibly upset at the pigeon for spitting on his face. The caption on top reads: "Israel asks USA to not sell F-35 warplanes to the UAE". On the spit the letters "Spit 35" are read.
Local journalists' rights centres called for Emad's immediate release.[12]
Emad was released four days later, following his bail by the Jordanian Journalists Syndicate.[13]
Hajjaj created the cartoon character Abu Mahjoob (Arabic: أبو محجوب) in 1993, and has gained in popularity in Jordan since then. Abu Mahjoob represents the common Jordanian man and portrays his every day political, social, and cultural concerns.[14] He wears a pinstripe suit and necktie along with a red keffiyeh and agal, and sports a crooked moustache.
Emad Hajjaj first drew Abu Mahjoob in 1993 as a character who hung candidate posters in the Jordanian parliamentary election that year. Hajjaj based the character on his father in terms of his witty and ironic humor.[15]