Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Sheikh Zayed Book Award announced the winners of its 20th edition (2025–2026), reaffirming its role as a global cultural platform supporting Arab creativity
and enhancing its international presence, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The announcement followed a meeting of the award’s Board of Trustees,
which reviewed the final results after a rigorous judging process.
This process considered the intellectual and cultural impact of the winning works at both the regional and global levels.
The selection process was also influenced by the wide participation of over 4,000 nominations from 74 countries.
Winners in the award categories
In the Literature category, Egyptian writer Ashraf El-Ashmawy won for his novel “Born in the Zoo,”
while Moroccan writer Mustafa Rajwan won the Young Author Award for his critical work “Plots and Characters.”
In the Translation category, Nawal Nasrallah won for her translation of an Arabic classic into English.
Jordanian writer Zuhair Tawfiq received the Arts and Critical Studies Award.
German writer Stefan Weidner won the Arabic Culture in Other Languages Award in recognition of his work translating Arabic poetry into German.
The Emirates Literature Foundation won the Publishing and Cultural Technologies Award.
Najat Al Saghira crowned Cultural Personality of the Year
The award bestowed the title of “Cultural Personality of the Year” upon the Egyptian artist Najat Al Saghira,
in recognition of her artistic career and her contribution to solidifying classical Arabic song
and strengthening the presence of the Arabic language in the public consciousness.
In the Manuscripts and Encyclopedias category, Dr. Mohamed El-Khesht won for his encyclopedia “World Religions.”
This encyclopedia offers a comprehensive analytical treatment of religious phenomena within their historical and intellectual contexts.
Global presence and an ongoing cultural message
The award organizers affirmed that this year’s list of winners reflects a remarkable cultural diversity,
encompassing creators from Arab and international countries, thus reinforcing its role in fostering intercultural dialogue.
They also emphasized their continued commitment to supporting literature, scientific research, and translation.
The organizers noted that since its inception in 2006, the award has honored over 136 individuals
and contributed to the translation of dozens of works into international languages,
all within the framework of an Emirati vision that positions culture as a cornerstone of development and human connection.
