Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) has announced the winners of its landmark 20th edition (2025–2026). This milestone marks two decades of impactful cultural contributions since the award’s establishment in 2006.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the award continues to strengthen its position as a global platform for knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange.
Two Decades of Cultural Impact
Over the past 20 years, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has grown into one of the most prestigious literary honours globally. It has received more than 33,000 submissions from nearly 80 countries and recognised 136 winners, including authors, researchers, and cultural institutions.
The award now spans ten categories, covering literature, translation, criticism, children’s books, and cultural contributions, reflecting its expanding scope and influence.
Additionally, the award has supported the translation of 50 Arabic works into 12 languages since 2018, helping Arabic literature reach wider global audiences and strengthening cross-cultural dialogue.
Rigorous Selection Process
Winners are selected through a multi-stage evaluation process based on strict criteria, including originality, academic and artistic quality, research depth, and contribution to knowledge.
This transparent and structured approach ensures the highest standards of integrity and reinforces the award’s international credibility.
2025–2026 Winners Across Categories
This year’s winners represent diverse cultural backgrounds, including Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Germany, Jordan, and the UAE.
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Literature: Ashraf Elashmawy (Egypt) for Births in the Zoo, a novel exploring social and psychological transformations in modern Egypt.
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Young Author: Mustapha Rajouane (Morocco) for his analytical work on narrative structure in Arabic novels.
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Translation: Nawal Nasrallah (Iraq/USA) for translating a 13th-century Arabic culinary manuscript into English.
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Literary & Art Criticism: Zuhair Tawfiq (Jordan) for a study on cultural stereotypes between East and West.
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Arab Culture in Other Languages: Stefan Weidner (Germany) for a major anthology of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry in German.
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Publishing & Technology: Emirates Literature Foundation for advancing reading culture and global literary engagement.
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Manuscripts & Encyclopaedias: Prof. Dr Mohamed Elkhosht (Egypt) for his comprehensive Encyclopaedia of World Religions.
Cultural Personality of the Year
The prestigious Cultural Personality of the Year award was presented to legendary Egyptian singer Nagat Al Saghira. Known for her timeless voice and emotional performances, she has played a key role in preserving and promoting classical Arabic music and language.
Awards and Recognition
Winners will be honoured at an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
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Cultural Personality of the Year receives AED 1 million.
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Winners in other categories receive AED 750,000 each, along with a gold medal and certificate of merit.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award will host a series of international cultural events throughout 2026. These initiatives aim to highlight its legacy and further promote Arabic literature on the global stage.
With over 4,000 nominations from 74 countries in this edition alone, the award continues to grow as a powerful platform for creativity, knowledge exchange, and cultural dialogue worldwide.
