Ahdaf Soueif

"And Egypt ? What is Egypt strenght?Her resilience ?Her ability to absorb poeple and events into the pores of her being? Is that true or is it just a consolation ? A shifting of responsibility? And if it is true , how much can she absorb and still remain Egypt ?"

"I haven't come to you only to take , I haven't come to you empty handed : I bring you poetry as great as yours but in anther tongue , I bring you black eyes and golden skin and curly hair , I bring you Islam and Luxor and Alexandria and Lutes and tambourines and date-palms and silk rugs and sunshine and incense and voluptuous ways."