Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s Selection Committees Appointed

The Advisory Council of  the Sheikh Zayed Book Award -one of the world's most prestigious and well-funded prizes- held a meeting on the 5th and 6th of July 2009 to discuss and appoint the new selection committees for the Award’s fourth session of 2009/2010. Mr. Rashed Al Oraimi, the Secretary General of the Award and member of the Advisory Council, mentioned that new committees were appointed for each of the Award’s categories, joining renowned and reputable figures in Arabic Culture who shall remain anonymous to ensure discretion. Al Oraimi elaborated that the Award still welcomes nominations from creative individuals in any of the Award’s nine categories until September 15, 2008, in line with the Award’s preparations for its fourth session which will be concluded in February 2009 by announcing the winners. During the meeting, the Advisory Council also approved a modified version of the selection forms. The new evaluation forms were thoroughly reviewed and improved to ensure reliability and consistency of the selection process and will be officially used by the selection committees during this current session of the Award. Parallel to the meeting, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award revealed some of its major events planned towards the end of this year. In addition to participating in Frankfurt Book Fair this October, the Award will also be participating in Assilah Festival next month, and will be hosting a lecture at Oxford University in cooperation with the University’s Middle East Centre in November.