Said Qutb

Sayyid Qutb Quṭb (October 9, 1906 - August 29, 1966) was an Egyptian writer, educator, Sunni Islamic theorist, and poet. His ideas have been described as Qutbism. From the 1950s to the 1960s, he was the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. He has published 24 books, including novels, literary reviews, and educational research. His greatest influence on the Islamic world is his research on the political and social role that Islam should play, which is especially reflected in his books "Social Justice" and "Signposts". Qutb was highly critical of American culture. He believed that American culture was "materialistic" and "full of violence and sex." He promoted radical views of offensive jihad and was described by his followers as a "great thinker" and a "martyr of Islam." Western observers and some Muslims believe that he is a key founder of Islamist ideology and played an inspiring role in extremist Islamic organizations such as Al Qaeda.