Sayyid Al-Qemany Writer

Sayyid Al-Qemany (Arabic: سيد محمد القمني‎ born March 13, 1947 in Beni Suef) is an Egyptian writer and thinker. Al-Qemany is a controversial writer. His works emphasize the importance of critical thinking, and he is an opponent of Islamic fundamentalism, supporting separation of religion and state, and tolerance. He has been awarded the Egyptian Culture Ministry's 2009 prize for achievement in the social sciences of 200,000 Egyptian pounds (about $US36,000). The bestowing of the award launched "a judicial and media campaign demanding" its withdrawal by those who claim Al-Qimni is a heretic who has "harmed Islam and the Muslims with his writings".Al-Qemany regards himself a follower of Mu'tazila.