For me, poetry is a situation - a state of being, a way of facing life and facing history.

In the Arab world, there is no link between the cultural habits of peoples and the ways of thinking and creating of modern intellectuals. They are two separate worlds.

I'd thought sexuality was instinctive or natural, but it's profoundly linked to inner security and cultural context.

Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare - and precious as a pearl.

Egypt has suffered more ordeals than the other countries to get where it is.

We must have our say, not through violence, aggression or fear. We must speak out calmly and forcefully. We shall only be able to enter the new world era if we agree to engage in dialogue with the other side.

I liked Sartre's views but not his writing.