CAIRO: Egyptian poet Abdel Rahman El Abnoudy, who channelled folklore and rural life into verses that touched the Arab world, died on Tuesday after a long illness. He was 77.

Abnoudy was known for writing in the Egyptian dialect and penning lyrics for beloved singers such as Abdel Halim Hafez. He was imprisoned under socialist President Gamal Abdel-Nasser, but later praised for his attention to the poor. President Abdel-Fattah el Sissi mourned his death in a statement, calling him a defender of civilisation and values whose words and spirit would live on. The statement said he called El Abnoudy’s family to express condolences.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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