In Egypt today most people are concerned with getting bread to eat. Only some of the educated understand how democracy works.

I started writing while I was a little boy. Maybe it's because I was reading a lot of books I admired, and thought that I would like to write something like that someday. Also, my love for good writing pushed me.

I've never worked in politics, never been a member of an official committee or a political party.

As the tension eases, we must look in the direction of agriculture, industry and education as our final goals, and toward democracy under Mr Mubarak.

I was afraid of marriage. I had the impression married life would take up all my time. I saw myself drowning in visits and parties. No freedom.

Visit me once each year, for it's wrong to abandon people forever.

Freedom of expression must be considered sacred and thought can only be corrected by counter thought.