Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Unveils Shortlists For Second Edition Of Sard Al Thahab Award

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the shortlisted works for the second Sard Al Thahab Award. This year, 15 entries from eight nations will compete in four categories: ‘Short Story for Published Stories’, ‘Popular Narratives’, ‘Short Story for Unpublished Stories’, and ‘Illustrated Story’. Winners in these categories, along with those in ‘Narrators’ and ‘Emirati Narration’, will be revealed soon.

The award's shortlist includes works from the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. This diversity reflects the award's growing influence and its ability to attract creative talents across its six categories. The Sard Al Thahab Award is an annual initiative by the ALC inspired by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s poetry.

In the ‘Short Story for Published Stories’ category, three works have been shortlisted. These include ‘The Two Sisters’ by Ali AlAbdan from the UAE, published in 2023 by the Emirates Writers Union; ‘The Last Storyteller in This Time’ by Abdulrahman Abbas from Sudan, published in 2023 by Rwafead Publishing & Distribution; and ‘The Green Dragon’s Wife and Other Colourful Tales’ by Rawaa Sunbol from Syria, published in 2019 by Alaan Publishers & Distributors.

The ‘Short Story for Unpublished Stories’ category features five entries. These are: ‘Rooms with People Running Underneath Them’ by Iraqi writer Yas AlFahdawi; ‘Biography of a Creature’ by Moroccan writer Said Alfellak; ‘Suspended Souls’ by Egyptian writer AbdelHady Ibrahim; ‘Judeilah Weather’ by Egyptian writer Aida Deraman; and ‘Al Hashashat’ by Tunisian writer Nasr Sami.

The shortlist for the 'Popular Narratives' category includes: 'Bahraini Folktales: One Thousand and One Tales' by Dr. Dheya Abdulla Khamis AlKaabi from Bahrain, published in 2018; 'Encyclopedia of Folktales: One Thousand and Eighty Tales from Northern Upper Egypt' by Dr. Sayed Fares from Egypt, published in 2023; and 'The Hidden Heritage: The Sumerian Legend and the Gulf Novel of the Al-Sirah al-Hilaliyyah' by Fathy Abdelsamie from Egypt, published in 2024.

For the 'Illustrated Story' category, four works have been selected. They include a documentary film titled 'Tifan' by Aaesha Alteneiji from the UAE; a photograph titled 'Grandma’s Stories' by Nuwair Alhajeri from the UAE; a photograph titled 'Wife’s Loyalty' by Issa Mohamed from Bahrain; and a drawing titled 'Antara and Abla' by Mahmood Shubbar from Iraq.

Award Objectives

The Sard Al Thahab Award aims to promote Arabic storytelling art across the Arab world. It acknowledges rich storytelling traditions within Arabic culture, including folk tales integral to Arab heritage. The award seeks to highlight these traditions while supporting their study within modern culture.

The jury selected nominated works based on their alignment with award standards and objectives. This reinforces its commitment to excellence while fostering creativity in literature. The award serves as a platform merging creativity with intellectual thought inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s legacy.

With inputs from WAM