[The Urban Sombrero]

This Egyptian born intellectual- type was sent to the U.S. in the late 50's...and hated what he saw. He returned to Egypt believing the modern world was "jahiliyya," or in the barbarous state that existed before Muhammed and believed "only the strict, unchanging law of the Prophet can redeem this uncivilized condition." He was executed by the Egyptian government for his radical beliefs and writings when he refused to recant. He is widely read and held in esteem by Islamic radicals.

Those who think like Sayyid Qutb hate modernism and see America as the "Great Satan" example of all of the evils of modernism. Mohammed Atta, lead hijacker of 9/11, read Qutb and embraced his hatred of the modern world, particularly America.