Rania Allam asked إسلام البنا:

I just want to say that the book was amazing, the reading experience here was really mind blowing, the details in the book was tailored perfectly so the choice of the characters and there effect in the flow of the events. Just wanted to ask what inspired you to write the novel, and does the door really exist I mean how you could describe the details of the carvings on the door ?.Can‘t wait for another book.

إسلام البنا Hi Rania
I'm glad you had such a blast reading Bab El-Hegazy.

to tell you the truth, I've always been mesmerized by the richness of the events that took place during 1979, and their profound effect on Egypt, the region, and the world for that matter. and i've always known that i will write about that era someday... then this idea about a mystic gate in a little village that goes through some of those events, came to me.

the gate is purely fictional. but it was such a central element of the story that i had to be meticulous in describing its details. and thanks to your active imagination you brought it to life.

i think you may find some of the questions in this interview about the novel interesting:
https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2015/0...

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