I thought they would never select an Eastern writer for the Nobel. I was surprised.

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.

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

If we reject science, we reject the common man.

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.