I love Sufism as I love beautiful poetry, but it is not the answer. Sufism is like a mirage in the desert. It says to you, come and sit, relax and enjoy yourself for a while.

I didn't make any money from my writing until much later. I published about 80 stories for nothing. I spent on literature.

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

If you want to move people, you look for a point of sensitivity, and in Egypt nothing moves people as much as religion.

As for life's tragedies, our love will defeat them. Love is the most effective cure. In the crevices of disasters, happiness lies like a diamond in a mind, so let us instill in ourselves the wisdom of love.

In the calculus of good deeds you have the most to gain.

It is simply not part of my culture to preserve notes. I have never heard of a writer preserving his early drafts.