Katara Announces Winners of 12th Arabic Novel Prize

rki.news | Source: Katara Cultural Village Foundation
DOHA, October 15: The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) has announced the winners of the 12th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel 2026 at a ceremony held at Katara Opera House, attended by ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, writers, intellectuals and media representatives.
In the published Arabic novels category, the winners are Samar Nour from Egypt for Asha the Scarab and the Moon, Maha Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Yamani from Saudi Arabia for My Hands Do Not Tremble, and Muhannad Rajab Al-Dabi from Sudan for The Gazelle’s Siege. Each will receive $30,000, and the winning novels will be translated into English.
In the unpublished novels category, the winners are Sarah Salti from Algeria, Huda Al-Masharawi from Palestine, and Nasser Al-Sharif from Saudi Arabia. Each will receive $30,000, with their works to be published and translated into English.
The literary criticism awards went to Dr. Amal Younis Mohammed Erhaim of Palestine, Dr. Hamid Al-Kattani of Morocco, and Dr. Mahmoud Farghali of Egypt. Each receives $30,000.
In the young adult fiction category, the winners are Khadija Telli of Algeria, Dr. Manal Taha Ahmed Al-Jarash of Yemen, and Hani Al-Qatt of Egypt. Each will receive $15,000, and their works will be published.
Noha Fahim of Egypt won in the unpublished historical novel category for Sunset of Alcázar, while Khalaf Al-Khalaf won the published Qatari novel award for The Covenant and the Charter.
Katara General Manager Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti congratulated the winners, describing them as ambassadors of Arabic literature and culture.
He said the 12th edition received a record 2,610 submissions, including 1,488 unpublished novels, reflecting growing confidence in the award and its role in supporting Arab literary talent.
Al-Sulaiti also highlighted the award’s commitment to publishing and translating winning works to expand the international reach of Arabic literature.
Dr. Mohammed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), praised Qatar’s support for Arabic culture and commended Katara’s efforts to promote literary creativity, translation and cultural cooperation across the Arab world.