ABU DHABI, 20th February, 2017 (WAM) -- A UAE newspaper has said that the six finalists for this years International Prize for Arabic Fiction tackle a range of important subjects, from the impact of regional wars and conflicts to the history of slavery.

In an editorial on Monday, The National said, "Among the shortlisted books is an outstanding biographical novel, 'A Small Death', by Saudi author Mohammed Hasan Alwan, which tells the story of Sufi thinker Ibn Arabi (1165-1242) for the first time in fiction.

"Arabi, who was born in Spain and travelled the Arab region for three decades before settling in Damascus, is one of the most controversial figures in Islamic history. His philosophical approach to religion was called into doubt by many scholars, including Wahhabis and Salafis, who were suspicious of his intellectual theories and allegorical interpretation of the Quran.

"Having a writer especially one from Saudi Arabia highlighting such a figure is remarkable at a time when we are in need of an open and frank conversation about religious interpretation. These books add to the debate and definitely deserve attention," concluded the Abu Dhabi-based daily.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.