Ali Ahmad Bakathir

Ali Ahmad Bakathir
Born21 December 1910
Died10 November 1969 (aged 58)
NationalityEgyptian
EducationCairo University
Institute of Education for Teachers
Occupations
  • Poet
  • playwright
  • novelist
  • translator
Notable workEpic of Omar (play)
Oh Islam! (novel)
The Red Revolutionary (novel)
AwardsState Prize of Appreciation

Ali bin Ahmad bin Mohammed Bakathir (21 December 1910 - 10 November 1969) (Arabic: علي أحمد باكثير) was an Egyptian poet, playwright and novelist of Hadrami origin, who is Indonesian-born. He was a prominent playwright, his best-known play was Epic of Omar (original: Malhamat Omar). He also wrote historical novels, the most famous being Oh Islam! (original: Wa Islamah) and The Red Revolutionary (original: Ath-thaa'er Al-Ahmar). He is also a translator, for he translated Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Bakathir was awarded many medals, including the State Prize of Appreciation, shared equally with Naguib Mahfouz.