If the great ancestor Gabalawi lives in the mansion at the top of the alley, why does he remain hidden while his descendants suffer in the dust below?

In Children of the Alley (أولاد حارتنا), Naguib Mahfouz constructs a rich, allegorical masterpiece that remains his most controversial work. The novel traces the history of a Cairo alley where every inhabitant is a descendant of the elusive Gabalawi. Through generations of feudal lords, fearful residents, and fearless saviors, the characters unwittingly reenact the spiritual history of mankind—mirroring the lives of Adam, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. It is a sweeping saga told through rivalries, miracles, and the eternal quest for justice, exploring the profound tension between science, faith, and the silence of the divine.