Okasha

In the interview last week in his walled-off second home in the Nile Delta village of Talkha, Mr. Okasha greeted his foreign guests while wearing a traditional Egyptian robe, or gallabeya.

Egypt Vote Puts Military Role in Play Matt Bradley 2012

Both Mr. Okasha and his critics say that it was only after the revolution that he hit his stride.

Egypt Vote Puts Military Role in Play Matt Bradley 2012

Okasha says that he and his neighbors set up checkpoints and that the army told them they would have to fend for themselves.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

"There are some images I can't forget my entire life," says Okasha, whose editorial cartoons appear in such Egyptian newspapers as Al-Dostor and Al-Wafd.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

"I remember Gandhi and his struggle for independence," Okasha says.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

"One of my neighbors was killed protecting his home," says Okasha, 39.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

Okasha says he sees hope in his young neighbors who stood up for their rights.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

When readers saw it, they knew what I meant, says Okasha, who has received death threats over his work.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

Okasha channels his opinions and experiences directly into his cartoons.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011

When Egyptian political cartoonist Amr Okasha sits at the drafting board, his drawing hand is fresh from brandishing larger objects to defend himself and his home.

Amid revolution, Arab cartoonists are drawing attention 2011