We are passing through a very sensitive time, and on the whole, this country is facing very big problems.

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

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

History is full of people who went to prison or were burned at the stake for proclaiming their ideas. Society has always defended itself.

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

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.