Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, honoured the winners of the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair Awards (SIBF 2025) in a special ceremony held during the opening day on Wednesday, in the presence of Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority.
According to Emirates News Agency, SIBF 2025, taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme "Between You and a Book" and running until November 16, saw a substantial increase in submissions, with 2,076 entries received. These included 184 from Emirati writers, 1,339 from Arab writers, 454 international entries, and 99 submissions for the Turjuman Award.
In her keynote speech, Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF, remarked on the growing influence of the cultural project launched by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. She highlighted the commitment of those shaping the cultural scene to treat language as a responsibility and creativity as a constant pursuit. The continued support from Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi has been instrumental in building a shared memory that connects books to readers and language to everyday life.
Sheikha Bodour honoured the winners of SIBF 2025, starting with the Sharjah Award for Emirati Books categories. The Best Emirati Book (Novel) Award went to Nadia Al Najjar for "The Texture of Light," published by Almutawassit Publications. Trends Research and Advisory received the Best Emirati (Academic) Book award for "The Age of Pearls.. From Poverty to Prosperity," with CEO Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali accepting the award.
The Best Emirati Creative Literature (Theatre) Book award was given to Dr. Abdul Hakim Al Zubaidi for "Texts From Nights In Cordoba," published by the Arab Theatre Authority. Asmaa Al Hamli received the Best Emirati Book (First Novel) Award for "The Sand Tribe," published by Dar Boumlha Publishing and Distribution. The Best Arabic (Novel) Book Award went 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, with Aoife Lennon-Ritchie accepting the award on her behalf. Sunita Krishnan won The Best Foreign Book Award (Non-Fiction) for "I Am What I Am," published by Westland Books.
The ceremony also included the honouring of winners in the Sharjah Award for Publishing Houses categories. Nabti Publishing House received the Best Local Publishing House Award, accepted by Managing Director Mohammed Abdullah Nour Al Din. Dar - Al Ahlia Bookstore won the Best Arabic Publishing House Award, with Ahmed Sufyan Abu Touq accepting the award. Penguin Random House was awarded the Best Foreign Publisher Award, with Gaurav Shrinagesh, the company's CEO, accepting the prize.
Sheikha Bodour also honoured SIBF 2025 partners, including e (official partner), Arada (development partner), Invest Bank and Bank of Sharjah (banking partners), Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (official media partner), Expo Centre Sharjah (strategic partner), Abu Dhabi Media (media partner), Trends Research and Advisory (knowledge partner), Sharjah International Airport (strategic partner), and Central Finance Department (fintech partner).