The Egyptian writer and Nobel Laureate, Naguib Mahfouz, would have turned 100 today.
He is one of my favorite authors. He wrote over 50 books and hundreds of short stories. Plainly, I urge everyone to read at least one of his novels. Many of his books are available in English and other translations.
His Paris Review interview portrays a perceptive, tolerant, disciplined and committed writer:
INTERVIEWER
What is the subject closest to your heart? The subject you most love to write about?
MAHFOUZ
Freedom. Freedom from colonization, freedom from the absolute rule of a king, and basic human freedom in the context of society and the family. These types of freedom follow from one to the other. In the trilogy, for example, after the revolution brought about political freedom, Abdul Gawad’s family demanded more freedom from him.
….
INTERVIEWER
Were you religious as a child? Did you go to the mosque with your father every Friday?
MAHFOUZ
I was especially religious when I was young. But my father put no pressure on me to go to Friday prayers, even though he went every week. Later on I began to feel strongly that religion should be open; a closed-minded religion is a curse. Excessive concern with religion seems to me a last resort for people who have been exhausted by life. I consider religion very important but also potentially dangerous. If you want to move people, you look for a point of sensitivity, and in Egypt nothing moves people as much as religion. What makes the peasant work? Religion. Because of this, religion should be interpreted in an open manner. It should speak of love and humanity. Religion is related to progress and civilization, not just emotions. Unfortunately today’s interpretations of religion are often backward and contradict the needs of civilization.
Read the entire interview here: Naguib Mahfouz, The Art of Fiction No. 129
Several institutions and individuals around the world continue to celebrate the centenary of Naguib Mahfouz. I have been enjoying Arabic Literature (in English)’s Mahfouz Mondays.
Kinna Reads 
What a wonderful human being is portrayed in the interview. I’m inspired to read his work after this.
I’m just reading another Egyptian story, Map of Love, by Ahdaf Soueif who was inspired by and close to Mahfouz.
LikeLike
Isn’t the interview great and so touching too. I’m yet to read Map of Love – I’ve heard only good thing about that book.
LikeLike
He’s on my list to read too .. but haven’t managed it yet. I’ll really try before I shuffle off this mortal coil!
LikeLike
Please do, perhaps 2012?
LikeLike
If I had known I would have scheduled my copy of this book Palace Walk for yesterday. Thanks for the info… his responses to the interview is very deep, very educative and important.
LikeLike
You can still start anytime from now :). Just because I’m eager to know what you think of it.
LikeLike
I had no idea that he had written so much Kinna. I’ve still read only one work and thought it was OK. What would you suggest to be his best work, do you think?
LikeLike
I would suggest Midaq Alley. Enjoy!
LikeLike
I’ve been meaning to borrow ‘The Cairo Trilogy’ for quite some time now – maybe 2012 will be the year 😉
LikeLike
Make 2012 the year you read The Trilogy :). Do it…
LikeLike
I was introduced to him in my university class on African literature. I really need to revisit some of this work.
LikeLike
Please do :). Which of his books did you read, if you remember?
LikeLike
I read and posted not long ago on his very political short story “The Norwegian Rat”-I am glad to see you honor him on this day
LikeLike
Oh, I will check out your post. Thanks.
LikeLike
Over 50 books? Wow! I didn’t know he’d written that many. I’ve only read one (Palace Walk) and I enjoyed that. I look forward to reading many more.
LikeLike
Yeah, his output was tremendous. The American University in Cairo has released a 20 volume set with all his novels. It costs $600 sold as one set! All the best
LikeLike