Egyptian writer Mohamed Samir Nada won the 18th edition of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction on Thursday for his novel Prayer of Anxiety, published by Meskliani Publications.
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According to Reuters, the prize—sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism—carries a monetary award of $50,000.
This year, 124 novels from 20 countries were nominated, with 16 titles making the longlist in January.
Six novels were shortlisted in February, with each receiving a $10,000 award.
In a pre-recorded message before the announcement, Nada said: "Prayer of Anxiety is my third novel. It discusses the idea of mind abduction and the reshaping of collective consciousness in a way that diverges from historical reality."
He added, "It’s as if these people were robbed of real time and lived in a parallel one... Was this for their benefit or to their detriment? That’s what the novel and its characters reveal."
This year’s award saw fierce competition among entries from across the Arab world.
Egyptian academic Mona Baker, chair of this year’s judging panel, said: "It is a novel that resonates deeply with the reader, awakening urgent existential questions. It masterfully blends multiple voices and symbolic narrative with a poetic language that makes reading a sensory experience where confession intertwines with silence, and truth with illusion."
She added: "It’s a novel that transcends geography, touching upon universal human experiences. All jury members unanimously agreed on selecting it as the winner."
The winner was announced during a ceremony held in the UAE, one day before the opening of the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
