ABU DHABI: The 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2024), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), held a panel discussion hosted by the ‘Asma Seddiq Award for the First Novel’, in collaboration with the Al Multaqa Literary Salon.

During the session, Asma Seddiq Al-Mutawa, Founder and Chair of Al Multaqa Literary Salon and President of the Award, spoke about the initiative behind the launch of the award, the circumstances surrounding its launch, and the different parties that contributed to its success.

Asma Seddiq presented the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre with an honorary shield for its role in enriching the cultural landscape, supporting publishing houses, and promoting reading among various groups in the UAE community.

Seddiq announced that Somali author Saleh Dima had won the second edition of the Award for his first novel ‘Seasons of Sacrifices’, ranking ahead of the two other main nominees, out of a total of 149 novels that met the Award’s criteria and were submitted fo
r consideration. The second edition of the Award recorded unprecedented participation, with 594 email submissions received, more than nine times the amount received in the first edition. A total of 149 novels, representing 25 percent of total submissions, entered the judging process, while the remaining novels were excluded.

Dima is a Somali writer and literary figure born in Kismayo in 1980, with this novel being his first. He will receive a cash prize of US$10,000, and the novel will be published in Arabic and translated into English, in collaboration with Dar Al Adab.

The session concluded with Seddiq and the judging committee announcing the opening of submissions for the third edition of the Award.

Source: Emirates News Agency