The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), also known as the “Arabic Booker”, announced the shortlist of its 17th edition on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The shortlist features 6 novels competing for the prestigious $50,000 cash prize, with the final winner set to be announced in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, April 28, 2024.
The 2024 shortlisted novels include “Gambling on the Honour of Lady Mitsy” by Ahmed Al Morsi, “The Seventh Heaven of Jerusalem” by Osama Al Eissa, and “A Mask, the Colour of the Sky” by Basim Khandaqji. Raja Alem’s novel “Bahbel: Makkah Multiverse 1945-2009” and Rima Bali’s “Suleima’s Ring” are also among the finalists, along with Eissa Nasiri’s novel “The Mosaicist”.
The shortlisted novels were announced by Nabil Suleiman, chair of the 2023-2024 jury, at a press conference in Riyadh. The conference was attended by the jury members, namely Hammour Ziada, Sudanese writer and journalist; Sonia Nimr, Palestinian writer, researcher and academic; Czech academic Frantyšek Ondraš; Mohamed Shoair, Egyptian critic and journalist, as well as Yasir Suleiman, Chairman of the Prize’s Board of Trustees; and Fleur Montanaro, coordinator of the Prize.
The shortlisted authors include two women and four men from five Arab countries, showcasing a diverse array of content and styles in their novels. Their works tackle current and significant issues, reflecting the rich tapestry of Arab literature.
The Arabic Booker aims to recognise and reward excellence in contemporary Arabic literature and to encourage the global readership of Arabic literature through the translation and publishing of both winning and shortlisted novels into other major languages worldwide. Beyond the annual prize, the International Prize for Arabic Fiction also supports various cultural initiatives. In 2009, it initiated its inaugural symposium, the “Writers Workshop”, aimed at nurturing a cohort of promising young Arab writers.
The Prize was established in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and is headquartered in London. It is organized with funding from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and is sponsored by the British Booker Prize Foundation.
Although the Prize is often referred to as the “Arabic Booker”, or the Arabic version of the International Booker Prize, they are two completely separate and independent organisations. The International Prize for Arabic Fiction is not in any way connected with the Man Booker Prize.
The Prize is awarded exclusively in the field of novel, with a longlist initially nominated. A final shortlist of six novels is selected to compete for the prize. The winning novel is awarded US$50,000 dollars, while each of the six shortlisted novels is awarded $10,000.
