Three distinguished poets, two novelists and a critic were named yesterday as the winners of the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award 2002-03 in its eighth edition during a grand ceremony.
The six Arab personalities were honoured during the ceremony organised by the Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Information and Culture, presented the awards at the gala ceremony.
The ceremony included a poetic recitation by Mahmoud Darwish and a seminar entitled 'Arab Culture at Crossroads' with a number of Arab intellectuals and orientalists attending.
Adonis and the renown-ed Arab musician Naseer Shamma, head of Bayt Al Oud in the Egyptian House of Opera, accompanied two singers, Mai Farouk and Riham Abdul Hakim.
The organisers acknowledged Ali Ahmad Saeed from Syria, better known as Adonis, as a pioneer of the contemporary style of Arabic poetry and one of the leading scholars of the modernisation movement in Arab culture.
Mahmoud Darwish is perceived as the image of Arabic poetry and is highly regarded not only as a poet of the Palestinian resistance, but also as a voice for the kind of human resistance that calls for peace for all mankind.
On the occasion, the Foundation announced the launch of its cultural project that aims at reprinting a number of works written by the winners in previous editions of the award. The move is meant to enrich the cultural life and to provide the Arab library, researchers and universities with these books free of charge.
The award has honoured 46 Arab literary figures since it was founded in 1988. It was declared a cultural foundation in 1994 after a decree by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It came to recognise the importance and pioneering role that Arab artists play.
This year the $100,000 award is granted to six winners in five fields one each in Poetry, Play and Story, Literature and Critical Studies, Humanitarian and Futuristic Studies and two each in Cultural and Scientific Achievement.
The panel of judges includes 12 Arab scholars who are assisted by consultative committees. The award is named after its founder, the late businessman Sultan Al Owais who was a respected poet. It was the founder's vision that the prize would be given solely on the basis of merit rather than nationality, ethnicity, politics or religious leanings.
The award-winners noted the foundation has been doing yeoman's work in upholding the Arab intellectual in an objective manner.
Mahmoud Ameen Al Alim felt he did not really deserve the award since he was still doing his studies in 'Epistomology of Physics and Literary Criticism'.
"I believe I have to finish all my studies, but it is up to the judging committee to determine whether I deserve the award or not. "But this award is a great achievement for me, and provides motivation to me and to my fellow winners. It is also a certificate of merit for all Arab intellectuals."
Dr Mustapha Nasif, a professor at Ain Shams University in Egypt, said: "I am glad to get this award because it proves that the Arabic world hails the Arab intellectual. It applauds the efforts of all. I have spent most of my life giving Arabic culture, and now I thank God for this honour."
He emphasised the efforts of all Arab intellectuals should be honoured. "I am not trying to praise myself, but I've been working really hard in the field of Arabic culture since the 1950s," he added.
Mohammed Khudeir was very glad to have been feted, and noted it would spur him on to more efforts in future.
"It also gives me more responsibility in my field of endeavour," he pointed out. He noted that this was the first time he has travelled outside Iraq, and that he was glad to come to Dubai.
Hasab Al Sheikh Jaafar said it was an appreciation for his long years in service of Arabic culture. Mahmoud Darwish and 'Adonis' Ali Ahmad Saeed also welcomed the award as an honour for all Arab intellectuals.
Abdul Ghaffar Hussain, chairman of the foundation's board of trustees said he has completed 17 years in service of Arabic culture. He pointed out that Arabic culture still shines as bright as ever, amid the darkness in the region.
He noted most of the Arabic cultural awards come from some political or religious group. "But the foundation offers this award in an objective manner."
Speaking on behalf of the award winners, Al Alim said, "With the Americans trying to become the dominant power in the world, and monopolise all the resources for themselves, the fact that my colleagues and I have won this award proves there is a cultural stance that continues to struggle to stand tall against the currently deteriorating tragic phase of the Arab nation."
WinnersPoetry: Hasab Al Sheikh Jaafar, Iraq Play and Story: Mohammed Khudeir, Iraq Literature and Critical Studies: Mustapha Abdo Nasif, Egypt Humanitarian and Futuristic Studies: Mahmoud Ameen Al Alim, Egypt Cultural and Scientific Achievement: Mahmoud Darwish, Palestine, and Ali Ahmad Saeed, known as Adonis, Syria.
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