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.

The Koran and the laws of all civilized nations legislate against the vilification of religions.

Today's interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.

It's clearly more important to treat one's fellow man well than to be always praying and fasting and touching one's head to a prayer mat.

If the urge to write should ever leave me, I want that day to be my last.

The Arab world also won the Nobel with me. I believe that international doors have opened, and that from now on, literate people will consider Arab literature also. We deserve that recognition.