Naguib Mahfouz Abdelaziz Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Basha (Arabic: نجيب محفوظ عبد العزيز ابراهيم احمد الباشا), an Egyptian writer, was the 1988 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Mahfouz is celebrated as one of the premier contemporary writers in Arabic literature, pioneering alongside Taha Hussein, to delve into themes of existentialism. He stands as the only Egyptian recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Over his illustrious 70-year career, starting from the 1930s until 2004, Mahfouz penned 35 novels, over 350 short stories, 26 screenplays, hundreds of op-ed columns for Egyptian newspapers, and seven plays. His literary world is predominantly set in Egypt, encapsulating the essence of its locale while universalizing existential themes. His most renowned works include The Cairo Trilogy and Children of Gebelawi. His narratives, deeply rooted in realist literature, often transcended into existential musings, leaving a significant mark on Arabic and world literature alike.

Mahfouz's literary contributions have extensively influenced cinema and television, with a significant number of his works adapted into Egyptian and foreign films — a testament to his enduring legacy and the universal appeal of his stories.