International Prize for Arabic Fiction · 2025 · Winner
International Prize for Arabic Fiction
2025 Winner
Complete History
About the International Prize for Arabic Fiction
The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), sometimes called 'the Arabic Booker,' is the most prestigious literary prize for Arabic-language fiction, awarded annually since 2007 to a novel written in Arabic. Established with support from the Man Booker Prize and administered by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the prize aims to reward excellence in contemporary Arabic fiction, promote the translation of Arabic literature into other languages, and bring the work of Arabic writers to a global audience. The winner receives $50,000 and a commitment to have their book translated into English; shortlisted authors each receive $10,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The prize was established with the formal support and involvement of the Man Booker Prize Foundation, which lent its prestige and organizational expertise. The 'Arabic Booker' nickname reflects this association.
- Any Arab author who has published a novel in Arabic is eligible. The prize is open to writers from all Arab countries.
- The winner receives $50,000 and a commitment from the prize to fund and support the translation of their novel into English. Each of the six shortlisted authors receives $10,000.
- The winner is announced in April, traditionally at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The longlist is announced in January and the shortlist in March.
- Yes. The prize has significantly boosted the international profile of Arabic fiction. Notable examples include Ahmed Saadawi's 'Frankenstein in Baghdad,' which was translated into English and longlisted for the International Booker Prize after winning IPAF in 2014.
- The prize is administered by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, a body of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism.
- Publishers submit novels in Arabic for consideration. An independent jury of Arabic literature scholars and critics reviews submissions, announces a longlist of sixteen in January, a shortlist of six in March, and the winner in April.
- Yes. The prize is exclusively for novels written in Arabic; other prose forms, poetry, and short story collections are not eligible.
- Winners have come from a wide range of Arab countries including Iraq, Tunisia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Oman, and Egypt, reflecting the prize's pan-Arab scope.
- A new jury of five members is appointed each year, drawn from Arab academics, writers, and critics. Jury members must recuse themselves if they have a conflict of interest with any submitted work.