The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation concluded its three-day celebration honouring the winners of the 19th edition of its awards on Thursday evening, November 13, 2025. The programme featured a photo exhibition of the laureates, a testimonial session in which they reflected on their creative journeys, book-signing events for their works published by the Foundation, and two literary seminars led by Moroccan critic Hamid Lahmidani and Iraqi novelist Inaam Kachachi.

The Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation concluded its three-day celebration honouring the winners of the 19th edition of its awards on Thursday evening, November 13, 2025. The programme featured a photo exhibition of the laureates, a testimonial session in which they reflected on their creative journeys, book-signing events for their works published by the Foundation, and two literary seminars led by Moroccan critic Hamid Lahmidani and Iraqi novelist Inaam Kachachi.

The award ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture; His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and His Excellency Ahmed Fouad Hanoo, Egypt’s Minister of Culture. The event was also attended by members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, prominent literary, cultural, and media figures from the UAE and across the Arab world. It began with the national anthem followed by a short documentary about the Foundation.

Commemorative shields were then presented to Iraqi poet Hamid Said, winner of the Poetry category, Iraqi novelist Inaam Kachachi, winner of the Short Story, Novel and Drama category; Moroccan critic Hamid Lahmidani, winner of the Literary and Critical Studies category; and Tunisian thinker Abdeljelil Al Tamimi, winner of the Future Human Studies category.

In his keynote address, His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash expressed his pleasure in welcoming all attendees on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. He noted that the ceremony stands as a special occasion to honour a distinguished group of Arab creators whose work has enriched the Arab cultural and intellectual landscape through their pioneering ideas, contributions, and enduring impact.

“We honour them today in recognition of their dedication and creativity, and in appreciation of their role in shaping the aesthetic, intellectual, and cultural consciousness of our nation. We are delighted to welcome you to the UAE, a land of openness and exchange, a country that believes in the ability of Arabs to rise, evolve, and succeed, and that sees creativity and culture as a bridge for human connection and a foundation for building the future,” Dr. Anwar Gargash said.

“We are especially proud to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in recognition of his exceptional global contributions in the cultural and intellectual spheres,” he said.

Dr. Anwar Gargash noted that the winners of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award represent true beacons of thought and creativity in the Arab world, enriching its vast cultural heritage with depth, renewal, and inspiration. Their contributions, he said, continue to fuel the journey of Arab creativity and open new horizons for literature, intellect, and knowledge.

He added that the Award stands as a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding achievements in the fields of literature, thought, and the humanities, and as an encouragement for them to continue their path of excellence and contribution.

Dr. Gargash highlighted that 2025 marked a particularly significant year in the Foundation’s history, as it celebrated the centenary of the late poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais through a series of cultural events whose impact resonated across the Arab world and beyond, honouring an icon who turned words into a bridge of enlightenment and poetry into a message of humanity and life.

“Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais was a model of the genuine Arab intellectual: steadfast in his pride in Arabic literature and deeply convinced that culture forms the sustenance and conscience of a nation. It was this belief that inspired him to establish this cultural endowment in tribute to the creative word and the enlightened mind, a beacon that continues to illuminate the paths of Arab thought and creativity for generations to come,” he emphasised.

He underscored that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has long been, and continues to be a pioneering model in supporting culture and creatives, and in championing knowledge and intellectual endeavour.

“The UAE, he said, believes that creativity is a cornerstone of progress and development, and that culture is the living spirit and conscience of society, safeguarding identity and contributing to human development and the building of the future. As we gather this evening to celebrate the laureates and acknowledge their rich contributions to the Arab cultural landscape, we reaffirm the commitment of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation to its mission of supporting creativity, honouring its leading figures, and preserving the cultural values that elevate thought, language, and humanity.”

“Literature, culture, and thought are not luxuries; they are human and civilisational necessities. Through them, values are forged, identity is strengthened, and awareness is deepened. They are the mirror through which societies reflect their progress, and the compass that guides people toward goodness, beauty, and knowledge. In an age marked by rapid transformations, culture remains a steadfast foundation for preserving human balance, protecting collective memory, and inspiring the future,” Dr. Anwar Gargash remarked.

In conclusion, he extended his gratitude to all those who contributed to the success and distinguished journey of the Award, foremost among them his esteemed colleagues on the Board of Trustees. He congratulated the winners for their creativity and for enriching the Arab cultural scene, wishing the Foundation and Arab culture continued vitality, contribution, and brilliance.

This was followed by a reading of the Jury’s report by Mr. Ali Obaid Al Hameli, outlining the reasons behind this year’s selections. Then, the honourees took to the stage to receive their commemorative shields, group photographs were taken with members of the Board of Trustees.

The awards ceremony concluded with a distinguished performance by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy’s Orchestra, featuring 45 musicians who presented a selection of Arab, traditional, and Khaleeji pieces. At the end of the musical programme, Dr. Fatima Al Sayegh, member of the Award’s Board of Trustees, presented the Al Owais commemorative shield to the ensemble and thanked them for their outstanding performance.