Literature should be more revolutionary than revolutions themselves; writers must find the means to continue to be critical of the negative elements in the sociopolitical reality.

One effect that the Nobel Prize seems to have had is that more Arabic literary works have been translated into other languages.

"Death by love is fairer by far than death by illness", said Amenhotep III.

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

I consider Khomeini's position dangerous. He does not have the right to pass judgment-that is not the Islamic way.

I reject any path which rejects life, but I can't help loving Sufism because it sounds so beautiful. It gives relief in the midst of battle.

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