tawfiq was born in cairo, egypt on 31 august 1943. in 1965 he graduated from the university of cairo, faculty of literature and received a bachelor diploma. after 13 years, in 1978, he received the master diploma in arabic literature. he takes an active part in the cultural life of egypt, and belongs to different literature associations, including the writers association of egypt since 1966, the writer's workshop of cairo since 1967 and the association of new literature of cairo since 1971.