The winners of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair Awards (SIBF 2025) were celebrated during an exclusive ceremony on the opening day, Wednesday. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, presented the awards alongside Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority.
SIBF 2025, hosted at Expo Centre Sharjah until November 16 under the theme ‘Between You and a Book’, witnessed a notable increase in submissions, totaling 2,076 entries. These submissions included 184 from Emirati writers, 1,339 from Arab authors, 454 international, and 99 entries for the Turjuman Award.
In the Sharjah Award for Emirati Books categories, Nadia Al Najjar received the Best Emirati Book (Novel) Award for ‘The Texture of Light’, published by Almutawassit Publications. The Best Emirati (Academic) Book was awarded to Trends Research & Advisory for ‘The Age of Pearls.. From Poverty to Prosperity’, with CEO Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali accepting the prize.
Stay informed with the latest updates. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The Best Emirati Creative Literature (Theatre) Book award was given to Abdul Hakim Al Zubaidi for ‘Texts From Nights In Cordoba’, published by the Arab Theatre Authority. Asmaa Al Hamli earned the Best Emirati Book (First Novel) Award for ‘The Sand Tribe’, published by Dar Boumlha Publishing and Distribution.
The Best Arabic (Novel) Book Award was presented to Abdelaziz Ait Bensalah for ‘House of Life’, published by Dar Meskiliani Publishing and Distribution.
In the Sharjah Award for the Best International Book categories, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu won the Best Foreign Book Award (Fiction) for ‘The Creation of Half-Broken People’, published by Picador Africa, accepted by Aoife Lennon-Ritchie on her behalf. Sunita Krishnan secured The Best Foreign Book Award (Non-Fiction) for ‘I Am What I Am’, published by Westland Books.
The ceremony also recognized winners in the Sharjah Award for Publishing Houses categories. Nabti Publishing House was honored with the Best Local Publishing House Award, accepted by Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Nour Al Din. Dar – Al Ahlia Bookstore received the Best Arabic Publishing House Award, with Ahmed Sufyan Abu Touq accepting. Penguin Random House was awarded the Best Foreign Publisher Award, accepted by CEO Gaurav Shrinagesh.
