Arab Book Award draws 835 nominations from 44 countries in fourth edition

Doha, March 2023 - The Arab Book Award announced it received 835 nominations across two categories for its fourth edition in 2026, illustrating the expanding scope of participation and diversity of advanced Arab scholarly and intellectual output. Launched by Qatar in March 2023, the award honors researchers, publishing houses, and institutions contributing to the Arab book industry.

This year, 682 single-book nominations outpaced the 153 achievements, with 94 individuals and 59 institutions recognized. Linguistic, literary, and critical studies led nominations at 33%, followed by historical studies (27%) and Islamic studies/Sharia sciences (19%). Social and philosophical studies comprised 15%, while dictionaries, encyclopedias, and textual scholarship accounted for 6%.

Executive Director Dr. Naji Al Sharif said the high number of nominations reflects the award's growing relevance as a platform for Arab knowledge and research. Egypt led submissions with 145 entries, followed by Morocco (92), Saudi Arabia (76), Qatar (50), Algeria (37), and Jordan (32). Professor Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad emphasized the submissions' importance in tracking trends in authorship and research, showcasing the richness of Arab scientific production and research interests.

The award aims to enrich the Arab cultural and intellectual landscape with leading works that demonstrate scholarly value, fostering cross-border Arab scientific and research projects.