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.

The writer interweaves a story with his own doubts, questions, and values. That is art.

I am practically in the employ of Mr. Nobel. I have to meet everyone he sends my way.

I believe society has a right to defend itself, just as the individual has the right to attack that with which he disagrees.

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

I was suffering from a peculiar and persistent sense that I was being pursued, and also the conviction that under the political order of the times, our lives had no meaning.

We used the Western style to express our own themes and stories. But don't forget that our heritage includes The Thousand and One Nights.