Our neighborhood boys

This novel erupted around a controversy that has not been raised about a contemporary Arab novel. One aspect of this controversy was-and still is-erupting-about whether Naguib Mahfouz symbolizes the characters of his novel to God, the Blessed and Exalted, and to the prophets, may blessings and peace be upon them, and the issue of the artificial conflict between science and religion, which is a foreign issue to our Arab and Islamic culture.

The whole symbol is subject to interpretation, and what is possible for interpretation must be carried out in its best form. Mahfouz himself said that the novel depicts a completely Egyptian neighborhood and an old endowment in favor of the neighborhood’s residents, over which two teams are fighting, one evil and the other good. The question he was trying to direct to the rulers of Egypt from among the men of the revolution was: "Which group are you with?" In this context, Mahfouz said:

"The undoubted thing is that in my life I never doubted God, and if I had begun to understand religion in a special way in my teenage years, I would have understood Islam completely after that." Rather, I firmly believe that there is no real renaissance in an Islamic country except through Islam. "

And if these are Mahfouz's words, then the literary battle will continue on its way to its end or continue indefinitely. But the writer's faith, and the symbol of the novel to God Almighty and to His Messenger, cut off the equipment of every preacher's speech. Let the reader read what he wants and understand what he wants, but he is required not to lie to a Muslim man.

I thank God Almighty for what he has provided.

He has done a lot of good for his language and culture. We hope that God will reward him for it. "Mohammed Salim Al-Aw"