Cairo: Renowned veteran Egyptian journalist Hamdy Kandil died Thursday morning in Cairo after struggling with illness. He was 82, according to Ahramonline.
The funeral prayers took place on Thursday during noon prayers at Al Rahman Al Rahim Mosque in Cairo, his brother, famous lawyer Asem Kandil, told local media.
Born in 1936 in Cairo, Kandil was known for hosting political TV programmes since the 1990s.
In 1961, he began broadcasting a news show called Aqwal Al-Suhf (In the Press) until 1969 when he was appointed director of the Arab Broadcasting Studios Union.
In 2003, his programme aired on Egyptian national television, named “The Chief Editor”, was suspended due to his fierce criticism of the Arab and Egyptian regimes for failing to support the second Palestinian Intifada.
He later moved to the United Arab Emirates and hosted another famous political show called Qalam Rusas (Pencil), which was also suspended after five years. He was married in 1995 to Egyptian actress and 70s and 80s movie star Naglaa Fathy.
Kandil co-founded the National Association for Change, a reformist group headed by Mohamed El Baradei.
He published his autobiography titled “I Live Twice”, in which he shed light on his private and prolific professional life as a staunch journalist.
He studied alongside leading Egyptian personalities, including Amr Moussa, former Arab League Secretary-General and presidential candidate.