Sharjah, UAE, 3 November, 2016:  HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has honoured the winners of SIBF Awards 2016, which include, the ‘Sharjah Award for an Emirati Book’, the ‘Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel’, the ‘Sharjah Award for the Best International Book’ and the ‘Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award’. The event was held on the first day of the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which takes place from November 2-12 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Emirati writer Basima Younis won the ‘Best Emirati Book by an Emirati Creative Writer’, for her novel ‘Until the end of the Month,’ which was released by the Emirati Writers Union (EWU), while Dr. Salem Humaid won the ‘Best Emirati Academic Book, Award for his work ‘Historical Depth of Federal Intellect in the UAE,’ published by Al Mezmaah Studies and Research Centre. 

Dr Faleh Handal received the ‘Best Emirati Book about the UAE’ for his title ‘A Glossary of the Colloquial Emirati Dialect - A Study on Folk Culture and Intellectual Values,’ issued by the National Library – Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. The three previous awards are sub-categories of the ‘Sharjah Award for an Emirati Book’, The ‘Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel’ went to Egyptian writer Ahmed Khalid Tawfiq for his novel ‘Like Icarus,’ published by Egypt’s Dar El Shorouk.

Shaikha Fatima Al Mualla scooped the ‘Best international Fiction Book’ for her novel ‘Hidden,’ published by Dar Al Hudhud in Abu Dhabi, while Author Meraj Mohiuddin won the ‘Best International Non-Fiction Book, for his work ‘Revelation – The Story of Muhammad’ (Peace and blessings be upon him), published by Whiteboard Press. Both awards are sub-categories of the ‘Sharjah Award for the Best International Book’.

The ‘Sharjah Publisher Recognition’ award has three sub-categories. The ‘Best Local Publisher’ award went to Medad Publishing and Distribution, with Syrian Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House winning the ‘Best Arab Publisher’ award. Finally, the ‘Best International Publisher’ award went to China’s Sinolingua Publishing House.

Through its annual awards presented under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, SIBF aims to honour creative individuals and groups who have enriched the book industry with their outstanding works. Among other criteria, the judging panel takes into account intellectual and cultural enlightenment and the ability of authors and publishing organisations to expand readers’ knowledge and minds.