Arab Award Forum honours Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre for its role in organising the Sheikh Zayed Book Award
In the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) was honoured at the fifth Arab Award Forum in Dubai.
Hosted by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award – part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation – the Forum recognised the ALC for its pioneering cultural efforts and its role in organising the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), one of the most prestigious literary and cultural awards at the Arab and international levels.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, ALC Chairman and Secretary-General of the SZBA, accepted the Arab Award Forum shield, which bears the signature of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Honorary President of the Forum. The Centre was honoured for its role in supporting the Arabic language, honouring creative minds, promoting cultural excellence, and organising conferences and seminars focused on the Arabic language, in addition to its diverse other cultural activities.
“We are proud to be receiving this honour, which recognises the impactful cultural efforts the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre undertakes, as well as its profound commitment to celebrating creative minds and thinkers through the Sheikh Zayed Book Award,” H.E. Dr Ali bin Tamim said. “This award holds significant cultural and moral value, as it bears the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE and an exceptional leader whose vision laid the early foundations of all development, nation-building, and human empowerment efforts in the UAE. It gives us great pride to see that the award has established a remarkable presence and cemented its position among the world’s most prestigious literary prizes.”
“Being honoured at the Arab Award Forum confirms that culture and creativity are the essence of Arab advancement. It motivates us to continue our efforts to promote the status and presence of the Arabic language, and consolidate the position of the UAE and its capital Abu Dhabi, which have placed culture and the Arabic language at the heart of their civilizational project.,” H.E. bin Tamim added. “We will remain faithful to this legacy, always striving to ensure that Arabic remains a language of dialogue, understanding, and communication, connecting the various peoples and cultures of the world.”
Attended by prominent figures from Arab intellectual and scientific circles, along with representatives from 35 prestigious Arab awards, the honouring ceremony recognised government bodies that support Arab awards, including the Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, Greater Amman Municipality, and Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award has achieved remarkable progress, evidenced by the yearly growth in the number of nominees across its 10 categories and the expanding pool of countries represented, which now exceeds 75 nations.
Over the course of its previous editions, a total of 136 participants have received the award, selected from entries submitted across its 10 categories: Literature, Literary and Art Criticism, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Children’s Literature, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Translation, Publishing and Technology, Young Author, Cultural Personality of the Year, and Editing of Arabic Manuscripts.
The final category was introduced starting from the 18th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2024, reaffirming its commitment to continuous improvement and its mission to enrich human knowledge with creative works that enhance human awareness and culture.