Rifaat el-Mahgoub facts for kids

Rifaat El Mahgoub (Arabic: رفعت المحجوب; born 23 April 1926 – died 12 October 1990) was an important Egyptian politician. He served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt. This is a very high position, similar to the head of a country's main law-making body. He was a member of the National Democratic Party, which was the main political party in Egypt at that time. Sadly, he was assassinated while in office.

Early Life and Education

Rifaat El Mahgoub was born in a city called Damietta on April 23, 1926. He was a very good student. He went to Cairo University and earned a law degree in 1949. After that, he continued his studies in France. He received a PhD in economics from the famous Sorbonne university.

His Career in Politics

Rifaat El Mahgoub started his political journey under President Nasser's leadership. He was part of important committees and groups. In 1962, he was chosen to help write a special document for the country. He once said, "Those who fear freedom are the fiercest enemies of freedom." This shows he believed strongly in people's rights.

Later, he disagreed with some government ideas and left politics for a short time. He moved to Beirut and worked as a professor, teaching economics at the Arab University of Beirut from 1968 to 1970.

He returned to public life when President Anwar al-Sadat invited him to help with new economic plans. He became a dean at Cairo University in 1971. In 1972, he was made a minister for presidential affairs. He also served as a deputy prime minister in 1975. He helped set up a system where different political parties could exist in Egypt.

After President Sadat's death, Rifaat El Mahgoub was asked to join the new government. In 1984, he became a member of the National Party. In July 1984, he was elected as the Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives. He held this important job until he was assassinated on October 12, 1990.

His Assassination

On October 13, 1990, Rifaat El Mahgoub was shot and killed while he was in his car in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt.

His Written Works

Rifaat El Mahgoub was also a writer and an expert in economics. He wrote several books and papers, including:

• "The Actual Demand" – For this work, he received a special award in Egypt in 1963.
• "Public Finances"
• "Economic Development in Egypt"
• "Socialism"
• "National Sensitivities"
• "Interest Rate and Balance"