The Board of Trustees of the Emirati Article Award has announced the winners of its second edition during a press conference held at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, attended by prominent cultural and media figures.
Among those present were Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazrouei, board member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, Chairman of the award’s Board of Trustees, and Meera Al Jenaibi, a board member. The event was also attended by other members, including Dr Sulaiman Al Jassim, writer Jamal Al Shehhi, novelist Reem Al Kamali, academic critic Dr Maryam Al Hashemi, representatives of the Dubai Press Club, and prominent cultural and media personalities.
The Board of Trustees announced the winners across multiple categories. They included Asma Mohammed Al Hosani who won the Social Article Award, while Dr Latifa Abdullah Al Hammadi received the Literary Article Award, Dr Abdullah Hassan Al Khayyat secured the Economic Article Award, and Mohammed Faisal Al Dosari won the Political Article Award.
Rehab Obaid Salem Al Zaabi was awarded the Scientific Article Award, while Obaid Ibrahim Bu Melha won the Intellectual Article Award. Iman Abdulrahman Al Hammadi received the artistic essay prize, and young writer Ghayah Zainallah Al Karbi won the youth category for those under 18. Hind Atta Allah Khlaifat was recognised in the resident writer category.
The board also honoured Mohammed Al Hammadi with the “Pioneer of the UAE Emirati Article Award 2026 in recognition of his distinguished career and contributions to strengthening article writing in the UAE and the wider Arab cultural scene.
In his address, Dr Mohammed Salem Al Mazrouei underscored the vital role of the written word in shaping societal awareness and producing lasting intellectual impact, noting that such awards align with the Mohammed bin Rashid Library’s mission to support knowledge and open new horizons for writers and thinkers. He said the organisers aspire for such initiatives to serve as bridges to the future, where ideas can drive meaningful cultural change.
Meanwhile, Dr Abdulkhaleq Abdullah said the second edition marked a qualitative leap beyond expectations, reflecting the vitality of the UAE’s cultural and literary landscape. He noted that participation reached 274 submissions, representing a 57% increase compared with the previous edition and nearly doubling the inaugural cycle. He added that the quality of submissions was equally notable, presenting a challenge for the judging panel.
He stressed that maintaining high-quality content remains a priority, adding that Emirati article writing is experiencing a “golden era”. The award, he said, demonstrates the strong presence of Emirati writers and aims to elevate national essays to a global level.
Dr Sulaiman Al Jassim said the growing number of submissions reflects the vibrancy of the UAE’s cultural scene, noting that essays remain a powerful tool for spreading knowledge despite the rapid rise of digital media. He highlighted the diversity of participants, with Arab residents accounting for more than 46% of entries, underscoring cultural integration within the UAE.
Meera Al Jenaibi said the award plays a key role in enriching cultural content and restoring the value of essay writing as a medium capable of addressing social issues and documenting national achievements. She added that the initiative aims to nurture emerging Emirati writers and encourage analytical and critical writing skills among younger generations.
In a reflection of the growing literary talent among youth, Ghayah Zainallah Al Karbi expressed pride in winning the youth category, describing the award as a testament to the UAE’s supportive environment for creativity. She dedicated her achievement to her family and teachers, encouraging young people to pursue writing as a means of making a meaningful impact.
