Arab Book Award supports authentic intellectual production and research projects

Doha, Qatar: The Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt recently hosted a distinguished symposium on the Arab Book Award, featuring key speakers including P...

Doha, Qatar: The Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt recently hosted a distinguished symposium on the Arab Book Award, featuring key speakers including Professor Dr. Hanan Al-Fayyad, Media Advisor to the Award; Dr. Emtinan Al-Sumadi, the Award’s Media Coordinator; and Dr. Medhat Issa, Director of the Manuscript Center and Museum at the Bibliotheca.

Established in 2023 under the generous patronage of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Arab Book Award has swiftly become one of the region’s most prestigious cultural honors. It serves as a beacon of hope, reaffirming the enduring value of the written word as the cornerstone of culture and civilization, and underscoring the power of intellectual creativity to transcend barriers.

The symposium was held shortly after the close of submissions for the award’s third cycle, amid growing concerns about the impact of digital platforms on traditional reading and library culture.

Opening the event, Professor Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, welcomed the organizers and reaffirmed the library’s dedication to supporting the Arab cultural movement. He emphasized the importance of promoting intellectual initiatives that elevate cultural awareness and enrich scholarly output, adding that the Bibliotheca remains committed to supporting both Arab and international literary and intellectual awards.

Dr. Hanan Al-Fayyad’s address provided an overview of the award’s vision, categories, and its five key fields. Her remarks served as a call to action for enhancing Arabic content and encouraging continued literary and research contributions despite modern challenges. She highlighted the award’s mission to support authentic intellectual production and to back research projects that advance knowledge, critical awareness, and scientific and cultural progress.