The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), one of the most prestigious accolades in the Arabic literary world, has unveiled its eagerly anticipated longlist.
©️ George Whale
This year’s selection honours 16 outstanding novels written by authors from across the Arab region, representing a multitude of cultures, experiences, and literary styles.
The longlist showcases an impressive geographical and cultural diversity, with authors hailing from eight countries. For the first time in the prize’s history, writers from Bahrain and Mauritania feature among the contenders, underscoring the growing breadth of Arabic literary talent. Among the 16 authors, five are women, and the age range spans from 35 to 79 years, highlighting the dynamic blend of emerging voices and seasoned writers.
The nominated works span a fascinating range of themes, from historical narratives that revisit the Morisco period in Andalusia and Imam Al-Ghazali’s life to contemporary tales set in bustling urban centres and dystopian realities. Notably, novels such as Danshmand by Ahmed Fal Al Din and The Andalusian Messiah by Taissier Khalaf intricately blend history with fiction, while The Stolen Novel by Hasan Kamal provides a piercing commentary on societal and gender roles in modern Egypt.
Mona Baker, Chair of the 2025 judging panel, praised the longlist for its thematic richness, stating, “Some novels offer a nuanced portrait of religious and sectarian worlds, while others address women’s struggles to achieve their dreams in patriarchal societies.”
Several novels delve into repressive regimes and societal struggles, illuminating personal and collective hardships. Others, such as The Valley of the Butterflies by Azher Jirjees, blend fantasy with social critique, offering readers an imaginative escape while addressing poignant real-world issues.
The diversity of settings—from Lebanon and Bahrain to Egypt and Algeria—creates a vivid tableau of Arab life across different eras. Through their works, the authors invite readers to explore complex narratives of war, displacement, love, and personal identity.
The judging panel, comprising distinguished academics and critics from across the Arab world and beyond, now faces the challenging task of narrowing down the list. The six shortlisted novels will be announced on 19th February 2025 at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, and the winner will be revealed in Abu Dhabi on 24th April 2025. The winner will receive a prize of $50,000, with each shortlisted finalist receiving $10,000.
Beyond its financial reward, the prize offers a significant boost to the global reach of Arabic literature, with past winners being translated into numerous languages, allowing readers worldwide to engage with Arab culture and storytelling.
In addition to the main prize, IPAF continues to nurture talent through initiatives such as its creative writing and editing workshops. This year marks the launch of the inaugural editing workshop, aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals in the Arab publishing industry.
Sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, IPAF plays a crucial role in supporting Arabic literature’s development and ensuring its stories transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries.
