Award-winning Egyptian author and researcher, Sayyed al-Qimni, is no stranger to controversy. He has offended Muslims with his secular views and drawn accusations of blasphemy, even death threats.

The author came under fire recently for suggesting during an interview with an Egyptian TV listings magazine that a religious shrine on Mount Sinai could serve as an alternative destination for pilgrims. He said that there were many poor people in north Africa who couldn't afford to perform the Saudi hajj, and that Sinai would offer a more affordable alternative.

His remarks have sparked controversy because he appeared to be advocating a second Ka'bah on Sinai.

Guardian:

In London the Saudi embassy said: "This is impossible. There can only be one Holy Ka'bah. This is a sacred place, sacred to all Muslims"...

The Association of British Hujjaj, a national organisation for British pilgrims, also condemned the "atrocious proposal" for turning Mount Sinai into a place of pilgrimage and a tourist attraction.

In his Asharq al-Awsat column, Saudi journalist, Muhammad Diyab says that Qimni had "fallen into the abyss" and had "officially moved from the list of fools to the list of madmen".

Qimni denies that he was promoting Sinai as a substitute for Mecca, and claims he was was using the term 'Ka'bah' in a more general sense to indicate a place of spirituality and worship.

"I used the word Ka'bah so it would be more acceptable to Muslims. It is not intended to be a substitute. This would not be an obligation, it would be a choice."

His proposal of Sinai as a pilgrimage destination takes a broad religious view, inclusive of all three Abrahmic faiths. He appears to be advocating a more ecumenical approach rather than a narrow religious agenda. He said: "There is no difference between the religions at that place [Sinai]. Ignoring that place constitutes a great mistake, not only religiously but economically.

The economic incentives are perhaps even more attractive for Qimni than religious considerations. He figures that a Sinai pilgrimage site would generate billions of dollars for his country.

It's a novel idea, but it is also liable to be seen as eccentric even unhinged... especially by devout Muslims who regard the hajj (the Mecca pilgrimage) as the fifth pillar of Islam. In their eyes any alternative pilgrimage site is likely to be seen as divisive, even blasphemous.

The controversy probably won't surprise Qimni. This is the same Sayyed al-Qimni who said: "Islamic scholars do not want the Muslim to use his God-given brain! They want a submissive and obedient Muslim who refers to them in the slightest details of his life."