Mohamed Abdel Moneim Rakha was born on December 7,1911. After completing his elementary schooling in 1921 and because of his love of art he tried to join the School of Fine Arts but his family refused so he joined both the Khediviah Secondary School and at the same time the Italian "Leornardo de Vinci" evening classes from which he obtained his diploma in 1927.

   Rakha loved the art of caricature through reading a pictorial magazine called " Allataif " in the twenties. His first caricatures appeared in a magazine called " Al Fannan " (The Artist) published by the poet Mohamed Younis Al Qadi but it was banned only two weeks after publishing his drawings.

   Rakha's caricatures were then published in three magazines : " Al Naqid" (The Critic), " Rose Al Youssef ", and " Al Sitar " (The Curtain). In 1930, he sold his land in order to issue his own magazine called "Ishmaana", but it was banned following the publication of only four editions.

   In 1933, Rakha was imprisoned for four years on charges of abusing the King in his drawings. Following his release he worked in several newspapers and magazines and his caricatures appeared therein.

   The most affluent period was the thirties during which he worked diligently and achieved success and fame in 1937 by publishing a daily front-page caricature in " Al Misri " ( The Egyptian ) newspaper.

   His fame was widespread for he made drawings for two dailies and 15 magazines at one and the same time.

   Rakha was the first Egyptian caricaturist who adapted his art to the service of political, and social issues. His characters were very popular. He depicted "Bint Il Balad" ( The country daughter ), " Mimi Bey " ( Mr. Effeminate! ), "Qarfan Bey" ( Mr. Arrogant ), "Ghani Harb" ( The Upstart ), and "Rafeea Hanim wa Assabei Effendi" ( The domineering fat wife and her cowardly miniature husband !). All his characters are vivid portraits of people we encounter in true life and are involved in political and social events in Egypt throughout sixty years.

   In 1943, Rakha, through his caricatures, had called for limiting land ownership in Egypt. The first edition of the weekly " Akhbar El Yom " newspaper carried six political and seven social caricatures by Rakha.

He wrots two books: the first, " Poetical Works of Rakha's Caricatures " in which he presented poems, monologues and lyrics attached to many of his caricatures. The second " Humourous Portraits," in which he expounded his philosophy of ridicule saying that this collection bears a popular name, but when you turn the pages you will find not humourous but rather sad pictures of our social ills.

   Rakha believed that a painter should have an idea or a thought before drawing any line. He also believed that the art of caricature can only flourish in the presence of freedom of thought, democracy and pluralism. Caricature should be a reflections of a deep insight into the political, economic and social situation. Freedom of the press is a prerequisite in order to obtain a vivid record of everything surrounding the artist.

   Rakha has established and chaired the Egyptian Society for Caricaturists in January 1984.