The Sharjah International Book Fair Awards are held under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the awards celebrate excellence in Arabic and international publishing while recognising outstanding cultural and creative contributions. Alongside the ceremony, a rich programme of cultural and artistic activities reflects the value and prestige of these awards. Guided by clear and consistent criteria, the awards continue to uphold their purpose and meaning, reinforcing Sharjah’s enduring commitment to literature and knowledge.
This annual award is granted to a personality or an institution that has been working actively in the field of culture. The winner is selected under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The winner will be announced during the Sharjah International Book Fair and the award is meant to honour their significant contribution to culture, whether because they produced literary works or because they actively took part in the cultural life of the community.
The Turjuman Award bridges cultures by bringing the richness of Arabic literature to a global audience and honours translation as a vital force for fostering dialogue. It promotes Arabic titles internationally, encouraging translators and publishers to engage with works by renowned Arab authors, while supporting specialized publishing of exceptional Arab and Islamic works. Its mission is to illuminate the true essence of Arabs and Muslims, showcasing their profound contributions to human civilization.
This award honours the vibrant literary landscape of the UAE, celebrating the creative minds that shape its cultural identity. It recognizes the power of the written word to inspire, educate, and reflect the nation's dynamic spirit.
This award celebrates the art of publishing, the impact of published books, and the diverse fields of authorship
This award honours Emirati novelists of all generations who wrote outstanding Emirati novels. The prize is worth AED 100,000.
This award honours research and scholarly publications related to the United Arab Emirates in various fields (culture, literature, criticism, society, art, law). The prize is worth AED 100,000.
This award honours non-fiction literary works. The current edition is dedicated to poetry. The prize is worth AED 50,000.
This award honours debut Emirati novelists who have written an outstanding first novel. The prize is worth AED 50,000.
This award honours the Best Arabic Novel. The book must have unique qualities and literary merit. The prize is worth AED 150,000.
This award honors outstanding and distinguished international books by granting two prizes:
Given to Non-Fiction works that define the genre, the Best International Non-Fiction Book Award recognises new works of Non-Fiction that are unique in their field.
This award honours outstanding publishers who serve the publishing industry thanks to high-quality publications, which contribute to science, culture and human knowledge in general.
Categories:
• The prize for Best Local Publishing House is worth AED 25,000.
• The prize for Best Arabic Publishing House is worth AED 25,000.
• The prize for Best International Publishing House is worth AED 25,000.
Creativity is at the heart of a great piece of fiction and The Best International Fiction Book Award is awarded to those pieces of work that are new and unique in the field.