Winners of the Sard Al Thahab Award 2025 Celebrated

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), a department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has revealed the winners of the third iteration of the Sard Al Thahab Award.

This prestigious award honors exceptional storytellers, narrators, and researchers within the realms of literature and folk narratives from the UAE and across the Arab region. Its mission is to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Emirati and Arab storytelling, support the arts of short story narration and visual storytelling, and highlight innovative works reflecting common cultural values and heritage.

Global Participation at Record Levels

The 2025 edition reached a significant milestone with participation from 37 countries, a notable increase from 22 countries during the inaugural edition in 2023—a 68% rise in just under three years. Newcomers included Albania, Austria, Chad, Denmark, Italy, and Japan, showcasing the award's expanding global influence and cultural relevance.

Visionary Cultural Leadership

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated that the award embodies the visionary guidance of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding Emirati and Arab narratives. He noted the award's integration into a broader cultural dialogue that bolsters research and documentation, thereby reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as a global hub of culture and a proponent of the Arabic language.

His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, emphasized the award's role in drawing high-quality creative works in the storytelling and folk narrative fields. He underscored the growing participation as evidence of the deep-seated cultural heritage the Centre strives to maintain and advance through artistic and scholarly excellence.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives and Chair of the Award’s Higher Committee, highlighted that Sard Al Thahab is a comprehensive initiative that transcends mere recognition, aiming to preserve collective memory and bridge generations through narrative arts inspired by heritage.

Acknowledging Excellence Across Categories

Short Story – Unpublished Works

Four awarded authors in this category include:

• Abdelbar Essoldi (Morocco) for Bleeding of the Spectres, noted for its originality and satirical depth.

• Mohammad Mansour Mohammad (Egypt) for More Than Forty Lookalikes, recognized for its surreal narrative tackling societal realities.

• Sherif Saleh (Egypt) for Dual Tales, merging Arab heritage with experimental storytelling.

• Dr. Ghalya bint Eissa Al-Zubaidiyah (Oman) for The Well of Absence, rooted in Omani folklore.

Short Story – Published Works

• Yousef Theyab Khalifa (Kuwait) won for The Time of the Lord of Pearls (2024), vividly depicting Gulf society through strong visual storytelling.

Popular Narratives

• Miral Al Tahawy (Egypt) received recognition for Barqa is Far From the Messenger, blending narrative art with research on Bedouin women’s poetry.

Narrators Category

• Ali Al Kindi Al Marar (UAE) was honored for his lifelong efforts in documenting Emirati heritage through various mediums.

Emirati Narration Category

Two distinguished UAE cultural figures were recognized:

• Jamal Bin Huwaireb, for his impactful show Al Rawi, which preserves Arab narratives.

• Huda Ibrahim Al Khamis, for her influential role in nurturing UAE’s cultural narrative and enhancing Emirati identity worldwide.

Upcoming Award Ceremony

The award winners will be celebrated in a special ceremony in January 2026 at Al Dhafra Fort, timed with the Al Dhafra Book Festival.

With its expanding international engagement, the Sard Al Thahab Award is instrumental in protecting Arab storytelling traditions, fostering creative narratives, and amplifying Emirati and Arab cultural contributions on a global scale.