Qatar Foundation, in partnership with the University of Granada, announced the winners of the first edition of the Radwa Ashour Award for Arabic Literature. This recognition aims to support and celebrate outstanding authors writing in Arabic. The award also reflects a shared commitment to preserving Arab cultural heritage. The Qatar Radwa now stands as a new milestone in the Arab literary world.
For this inaugural edition, two authors received the honor. Egyptian writer Nora Nagi won in the “40 and Under” category. Meanwhile, Lebanese author Mohammad Tarazi earned the distinction in the “Over 40” category. Both winners expressed deep gratitude for this achievement.
Nora Nagi described the award as an honour linked to the legacy of her literary role model, Radwa Ashour. She emphasized that such recognition carries both pride and responsibility. Furthermore, she looked forward to a creative journey that encourages dialogue and fresh ideas.
Mohammad Tarazi highlighted that Radwa Ashour affirms a commitment to human dignity and the values championed by it. He said that winning reminded him of the sincerity of words and the role of literature as resistance. Moreover, he expressed hope that his work would inspire courage to write against violence and oppression.
The University of Granada will host both winners in the Andalusian city for an extended residency. During this period, they will work on their literary projects and engage with local cultural and academic communities. This residency aims to deepen cultural exchange while nurturing creativity.
The award was launched to honour the late Egyptian author and professor Radwa Ashour, whose works embodied cultural pride and literary brilliance. It is open exclusively to writers producing work in Arabic. In addition, it strengthens efforts to promote the Arabic language and safeguard Arab-Islamic heritage.
Each year, the Award offers two writers a unique residency retreat in Granada. The winners are chosen for the merit of their past works and the promise of their new projects. A panel of respected authors, critics, and scholars makes the final selections.
More than just a literary honor, the award celebrates the power of Arabic literature to inspire dialogue and cultural understanding. It also reinforces the importance of creative freedom across the Arab world and beyond.
