Abdel-Aziz Fahmi: Originator of the Constitution (1870-1951)
Egypt, People, 3/5/2001

With his multifaceted political, legal and literary talents, Abdel-Aziz Fahmi was one of the most outstanding, influential figures in Egypt's political life in the first half of the 20th Century. Due to his deep legal experience and his role in wording the Egyptian Constitution of 1923, he was nicknamed as the originator of the Constitution. Born on December 23, 1890.

Political Career:

In spite of Fahmi's deep involvement in Egyptian political life at a critical period of popular struggle for independence, he was known for his indifference to official positions.

- Together with the leader of the Nation Saad Zaghloul and Ali Sharawi, he was a member of the Egyptian delegation who met the British High Commissioner for Egypt on November 13,1918 to convey the Egyptian people's demands for political independence from Britain. He further traveled to London and Paris in pursuit of nationalist struggle but he resigned in 1921.

- He, twice in 1924 and 1941, headed the Constitutional Liberals Party, that he had earlier confounded, with no intention of retaining his position.

- In 1925 he was appointed Minister of Justice, but he was discharged by a Royal decree on account of his refusal to dismiss Sheikh Ali Abdel-Razeq author of Islam and the Principles of Government. Fahmi strongly defended the freedom of opinion and scholarly research and highly valued the integrity of scholars. He argued that the book contained no ideas for which the author had to be blamed.

- Fahmy was also a talented poet, who wrote several long poems, including a 340 piece that came to be known as the Eighth "Mu'allaqah", in analogy of the seven long reputed poems (Mu'allaqah's) by pre-Islamic Jahilian bards, usually hung in a conspicuous place in Makkah before the advent of Islam.

Due to his deep interest in and mastery of Arabic language, he was selected as a member of the Academy of Arabic language; a position that he retained from 1940 until his death on March 4,1951.

He participated in the activities of several committees of the Academy such as those on economics, law, terms of modern civilization, dialects and verification of classical texts.

Finally, wearied by continuous pressures of political strife of the time, the dedicated politician resigned all political posts in favor of the more sublime objective of combating illiteracy of the fellow countrymen of his home village. Ultimately, far away from maddening politics, Fahmi could live peacefully and happily amongst the simple rank and file.

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