Al ain: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured the winners of the Kanz Al Jeel Award's fourth edition at an awards ceremony held at Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain Region. The event, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), coincided with the opening day of the Al Ain Book Festival 2025, which continues until 30 November.
According to Emirates News Agency, the awards spanned five categories this year. Egyptian artist Nagat Soliman won in the Arts category for her work "Tears Streamed From My Eyes." In the Poetry Matching category, Omani poet Ali Al Harthi was recognised for his poem "Sada Al Noor," which parallels the late Sheikh Zayed's poem "Li Sirt Min Al Ain Sarraya" with its meaningful words. Kuwaiti poet Hamed Zaid earned the award in the Poetic Publications category with his collection "Wa Abqa Jabal," noted for its balance and rhetorical flair. Emirati writer and researcher Ali Abualreesh Al Mansoori won in the Studies and Research category for his book "Zayed: Poetic Worlds Bound by the Horizon - A Trilogy of Love, Palm, and Desert," which delves into the themes in Sheikh Zayed's poetry. The Creative Personality award was given to Emirati poet Mohammed Rashid Al Shamsi for his extensive poetic work since the 1970s. The Translation category was not awarded this year.
The Creative Personality award winner received a gold medallion featuring the Kanz Al Jeel Award emblem, a certificate of appreciation, and a AED500,000 prize. Winners in other categories received a gold medallion, a certificate, and a AED200,000 prize. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the ceremony's reflection of Abu Dhabi's commitment to the Arabic language and its creative voices. He noted the award as a platform for poets, writers, and researchers to deepen Nabati poetry's understanding and preserve its cultural significance.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, expressed gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan for supporting the award. He stated that the Kanz Al Jeel Award encourages Arab minds to build on the legacy of Nabati poetry, inspiring new and innovative works. The award has established itself as a credible platform for poets, writers, researchers, and creatives, enhancing the presence of Arabic as a language of art and civilisation.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, and Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji. The fourth edition saw over 830 submissions from 35 countries, a 38% increase from the previous edition, highlighting the award's prominence in folk poetry and heritage. The award's Higher Committee selected winners based on governance standards, evaluating submission quality and alignment with objectives.
The Kanz Al Jeel Award, an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, aims to honour Nabati poetry and related research, encouraging younger generations to appreciate and pursue this legacy with contemporary tools. The ALC also announced the opening of nominations for the fifth edition of the award, inviting submissions via [email protected].