Abdel Rahman al-Sharqawi (1920–1987) was a highly acclaimed writer and a pioneer of the innovative movement in Arabic poetry. Born into a peasant family in the Egyptian province of Menoufia, al-Sharqawi’s first works were published while he was a student at the University of Cairo, where he graduated in 1943. Al-Sharqawi was a prominent political activist, mainly involved in the defence of democracy, social justice, religious tolerance and true faith. His novels, short stories, poetry and plays were highly regarded for their realism and commitment to social issues. His first novel, Egyptian Earth, is one of the most successful Egyptian novels ever published and was made into a popular film by the well-known director Youssef Chahine.