Wagdy Abd el-Hamied Mohamed Ghoneim
{{short description|Egyptian imam}}
{{Expand Arabic|topic=bio|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
Wagdy Abd El Hamied Mohamed Ghoneim{{ref|A|[A]}} ({{langx|ar|وجدي عبد الحميد محمد غنيم}}), normally shortened to Wagdy Ghoneim (born 8 February 1951) is an Egyptian Muslim[http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/egypts-elections-part-2-salafis-use-education-to-campaign Washington Institute: "Egypt's Elections (Part 2): Salafis Use Education to Campaign" by Jacob Olidort] 30 September 2015 imam and writer. He was imam at the Islamic Institute of Orange County, California, in the United States, until 2005.U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) [http://www.nefafoundation.org/miscellaneous/FeaturedDocs/ICE_PR_Deportation_Ghoneim.pdf Press release] 4 January 2005 He was a fundraiser for the Toledo, Ohio based Hamas charity KindHearts. {{Citation needed|reason=No evidence provided supporting statement|date=July 2018}}
In January 2005, Ghoneim left the US for Qatar, following his arrest for violating his immigration status. Bail was refused over concerns that his previous speeches and fund raising might have supported organisations such as Hamas. He was given a ten-year ban on re-entry to the country.
In May 2009, he was placed on the British Home Office's list of "Individuals banned from the UK for stirring-up hatred"{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508060602/http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/hate-promoters-banned-UK-named | archivedate=8 May 2009 | url=http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/hate-promoters-banned-UK-named|title=Home Office name hate promoters excluded from the UK|date=5 May 2009|publisher=UK Home Office |accessdate=29 December 2015}} for being "Considered to be engaging in unacceptable behaviour by seeking to foment, justify or glory terrorist violence in furtherance of particular beliefs and to provoke others to commit terrorist acts."{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
Controversies
He said, prior to 30 June 2013 major protests, that who ever protests against the president Mohamed Morsi is a Kafir.{{cite web|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/egypt/2013/06/15/%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B1-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85.html |title=وجدي غنيم: الخارج على مرسي كافر ومتمرد على الإسلام – العربية.نت | الصفحة الرئيسية |publisher=Alarabiya.net |accessdate=2013-06-16}} Ghoneim denounced Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's coup d'état after Morsi was toppled.{{Citation|last=وجدي غنيم|title=وجدي غنيم ~ كلمتى الى الملتقى الإسلامي فى نيجيريا {{!}} Wagdy Ghoneim To the Islamic Forum in Nigeria|date=2013-09-05|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWy1heDf14|accessdate=2018-03-22}}
The amputation of limbs for stealing is supported by Ghoneim.{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/egyptian-cleric-wagdi-ghoneim-support-chopping-hands-thieves-criminals-prefer-it-prison |title= Clip #3182 Egyptian Cleric Wagdi Ghoneim in Support of Chopping Off the Hands of Thieves: Criminals Prefer It to Prison |date=10 August 2011 |website=MEMRI }}
In April 2017, he justified attacks on Coptic churches, due to their support to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/egyptian-islamist-exile-wagdi-ghoneim-churches-attacked-because-coptic-crusaders-supported |title=Egyptian Islamist in Exile Wagdi Ghoneim: Churches Attacked Because Coptic "Crusaders" Supported "Despicable-Sisi" |publisher=Middle East Media Research Institute |date=8 April 2017 }}
On 26 July 2019, he has been banned from entering Tunisia because of hateful declarations against the former president Beji Caid Essebsi. Ghoneim stated that Tunisia is against Islam and its president is against the Quran and Sunnah.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnews.com.tn/Wajdi-Ghonim-interdit-dentr%C3%A9e-en-Tunisie,520,89687,3|title=Wajdi Ghonim interdit d'entrée en Tunisie|website=Business News|language=French|date=26 July 2019}}
In April 2021, he criticized the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, calling the ancient Egyptians as infidels.{{cite web |url=https://www.memri.org/tv/turkey-egyptian-islamic-scholar-wagdi-ghoneim-blasts-cairo-golden-parade-mummies-hell-sisi-displays-infidel-bodies-money-jew-destroy |title=Turkey-Based Egyptian Islamic Scholar Wagdi Ghoneim Criticizes Cairo's 'Golden Parade' Of Mummified Pharaohs: The Hair of One Female Mummy Was Showing; Al-Sisi Displays Corpses of Infidels For Money |publisher=Middle East Media Research Institute |date=5 April 2021 }}
Notes
{{refbegin}}
{{note|A|[A]}}: His name in Arabic text: {{lang|ar|وجدى عبد الحميد محمد غنيم}}; in IPA {{IPA|arz|ˈwæɡdi ʕæbdel.ħæˈmiːd mæˈħæmmæd ɣoˈneːm|}}; the initial name maybe transcribed as {{transliteration|arz|Wagdi }}, the middle name may also be transcribed as {{transliteration|arz|Abdelhamid / Abdel Hamid / Abd El Hamid}}. See Abdel.
{{refend}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghoneim, Wagdy Abd el-Hamied Mohamed}}
Category:Anti-Christian sentiment in Africa
Category:Antisemitism in Egypt
Category:Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood members
Category:Egyptian expatriates in the United States
Category:Egyptian expatriates in Qatar
Category:Critics of Shia Islam