Egypt: Havoc over writer accused of 'apostasy'

Egyptian controversial writer Sayed Al-Qimni, accused of apostasy by the Muslim Brotherhood, has been awarded a 'National' prize for his work. This has created a real commotion in Cairo among Brotherhood and other Muslim groups.

The Minister of Culture’s award to the writer caused the Brotherhood to launch a massive media campaign against the writer, calling for the government to witthdraw the prize.

The Muslim Brotherhood lashed out at the Ministry of Culture and MPs from the group filed a complaint after secularist writer and thinker Sayed al-Qimni received the State Award of Merit in Social Sciences, the highest in Egypt.

The Egyptian government insists on provoking the people through repeatedly paying tribute to people who slander Islam, said Brotherhood MP Dr. Hamdi Hassan in the interpellation he directed at Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, reported the Al-Arabya tv website.

Lawyer Nabih al-Wahsh filed a lawsuit demanding the withdrawal of the award from Qimni, alleging that he does not deserve it.

"His works deride Islam and he is skeptical about the message of Prophet Mohamed," he told Al Arabiya. "Plus the prize is from state money and most Egyptians reject Qimni's ideas. Thus, he does not deserve the prize."

Wahsh added that the Egyptian constitution is based on Islamic law (Sharia), which Qimni allegedly doubts, and called for impeaching the Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni for approving the choice of Qimni.

Preacher Yusuf al-Badri, known for suing intellectuals, also lashed out at the Minister of Culture and filed a lawsuit for the revocation of the prize.

"He denies the existence of prophets Abraham and Moses and Prophet Mohamed's battles," he told Al Arabiya. "How could people who say this be given awards?"

The fundamentalist group al-Jamaa al-Islamiya issued a statement condemning awarding the prize to Qimni.

Qimni however denied all the charges of apostasy against him, saying that he won the award is savoring it as a his personal recognition and a victory. (Adapted from Al Arabiya TV)

In response to the accusations leveled against, Qimni objected to being labeled an apostate and expressed his indifference towards these allegations.

"I am Muslim and I believe in Prophet Mohamed," he told Al Arabiya. "Let them file whatever lawsuits they want to withdraw the award. The award did honor me; I honored it."

Qimni accused those who filed lawsuits against him of seeking profit and not attempting to understand Islam correctly.

"My writings make Islam simpler and explain it to people. Those who sue me and accuse me of apostasy do this for a living and will go bankrupt if they stop it."

Qimni has advocated for crossing out Article 2 of the constitution which states that Islamic law (sharia) is the main source of legislation in Egypt. He initially refused the prize in a statement of support to secularism.  (Adapted from Al Arabiya Tv )

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