The General Secretariat of the Khalid Khalifa Novel Prize has announced that five novels have reached the shortlist of its second edition for 2026, following extensive and intensive deliberations among the members of the jury, which resulted in the selection of the following works: Nearby Exiles by Ibrahim Adnan Yassin (Lebanon), Meem Ta Ain by Omar Al-Azzawi (Iraq), Washed Blood by Medhat Saleh (Egypt), To Be Built on Soil by May Mahmoud Mohamed (Syria), and The Bygones by Imad Ali Qaydah (Tunisia).
These debut novels reflect a spectrum of general concerns and national and emotional issues that span the Arab world, and are distinguished by strong narrative ability, accomplished linguistic construction, and forward-looking visions that inspire hope and the dream of a better tomorrow. The jury was composed of novelist Liana Badr (Palestine), critic Dr. Khairy Douma (Egypt), and novelist and critic Dr. Shahla Al-Ujayli (Syria).
The General Secretariat will announce the name of the prize winner in mid-September, and the winner will be honoured on Tuesday, 30 September, the anniversary of the death of Syrian novelist Khalid Khalifa in 2023.
The prize, dedicated to novelists whose work is a debut and previously unpublished, opened nominations for its second edition at the beginning of this year, and carries a value of $1,000. It was established on the initiative of friends of the late novelist Khalid Khalifa to immortalise his name and literary legacy as one of the most prominent Arab novelists, who inspired and enshrined civilisational values by confronting injustice and exposing its forms.
The prize aims to honour and support novelists who embody the spirit of innovation, freedom of expression, and cultural depth that represents the essence of the moral and intellectual values championed by Khalid Khalifa throughout his career.