The Islamists and the Homeland

Sayyid al-Qemany (1947–2022) was a prominent Egyptian historian, academic, and secular intellectual. He was widely known for his critical research into early Islamic history and his bold defense of secularism and intellectual freedom in the Arab world. His works challenged traditional religious narratives, making him one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern Arab thought.

Born in Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt, al-Qemany pursued his studies in philosophy, dedicating his career to analyzing religious texts from a socio-historical perspective. Throughout his life, he faced fierce attacks from conservative religious institutions and received numerous threats from extremist groups due to his reformist views. Despite these pressures, he continued to publish prolifically and was awarded the State Appreciation Award in Social Sciences by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 2009.

Al-Qemany’s writings were deeply influenced by the rise of political Islam and religious extremism in the late 20th century, which he viewed as a threat to civil society and progress. He maintained that the separation of religion and politics was essential for the progress and stability of the Middle East. His intellectual courage in confronting dogmatic views solidified his status as a leading voice for liberalism and rationalism in Egypt until his death in 2022.

Key Works

• The Isra'iliyyat Traditions (الإسرائيليات) (2002): This work critically analyzes the Judeo-Christian narratives and traditions that influenced early Islamic exegesis and historical accounts.
• An Introduction to Understanding Biblical Mythology (مدخل إلى فهم الميثولوجيا التوراتية) (1999): A scholarly study on the mythological roots of the Old Testament, analyzing the text within its ancient Near Eastern historical context.
• Get Out of Our Mosques (اخرجوا من مساجدنا) (2007): A sharp critique of the politicization of religious spaces and the rise of extremist discourse in contemporary mosques.
• The Islamic State and Impending Ruin (الدولة الإسلامية والخراب العاجل) (2007): An analytical warning against the establishment of a theocratic state, arguing that political Islam leads to societal collapse.
• The Muslim State: About-Face! (الدولة المسلمة للخلف دُر) (2010): A critical study of the regression of civil liberties and systems of governance in states adopting fundamentalist religious policies.
• Fascists and the Homeland (الفاشيون والوطن) (2014): An exploration of the rise of religious fascism in Egypt and its destructive impact on national unity and civic identity.
• The Islamists and the Homeland (المتأسلمون والوطن) (2012): A scathing critique of Islamist political movements and their ideological conflict with modern concepts of citizenship and the nation-state.