Doha: The Arab Book Award announced Saturday that it had received 1,043 nominations from 41 Arab and foreign countries across its various award categories, marking the conclusion of the submissions period for the third cycle (2025-2026). The Award aims to support authorship and scientific research in Arabic and to enhance the status of the Arab book within the realm of quality knowledge production. According to Qatar News Agency, Media Advisor for the Arab Book Award Professor Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad stated that the Award's judging committee received 960 nominations in the Single Book category and 83 nominations in the Achievement category. She affirmed that this broad participation reflects growing interest in the Award and its increasing prominence within academic and cultural circles in the Arab world and beyond. The fact that submissions came from 41 countries demonstrates the Award's success in reaching creative researchers and writers across diverse regions. Al Fayyad pointed out that nominated works cons isted of 32 percent in the field of social and philosophical studies, 27 percent in linguistic studies, 16 percent in historical studies, 16 percent in Islamic studies, and 9 percent in the category of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and text editing. She emphasized that the judging panels, comprised of experts from across the Arab world, are operating with integrity and transparency to select the best works. The nominated entries will undergo detailed and varied evaluation phases to ensure the honor of winning and the fairness of the process. These are expected to conclude by December. The Achievement category is dedicated to honoring individuals with distinguished contributions in one of the prize's knowledge areas, as well as institutions and publishing houses. Final screening and the announcement of winners will take place at a special ceremony in early 2026. Al Fayyad highlighted that the importance of the prize, valued at a total of USD 1 million, goes beyond the financial aspect, embodying a civilizatio nal message to restore the book's role as a tool for critical thinking, creativity, and change. The Arab Book Award is granted under two main categories: the Single Book category and the Achievement category. Nominations in the Single Book category must be submitted by the author personally, and only one work may be submitted. Joint books are accepted under certain conditions, and the author must be alive at the time of nomination. The Achievement category honors individuals or institutions with long-term knowledge-based projects. Nominees must comply with intellectual property rights and submit supporting documents via the prize's official website. This cycle's five knowledge domains were designated for focused studies, including literary and critical studies of Arab heritage, social and philosophical studies, historical studies, Islamic sciences and studies, and dictionaries, encyclopedias, and text editing.
