The Culture and Science Forum (Nadwa) in Dubai has announced the opening of registration for the third edition of the Nadwa Culture and Science Award for Arabic Poetry. This edition of the award bears the name of the late poet Ahmed bin Sultan bin Salim, in recognition of his contributions and poetic legacy.
The naming comes in celebration of his inclusion in UNESCO's 2026 commemorations programme, honouring his literary, poetic, and intellectual journey, which enriched the cultural landscape of the United Arab Emirates, and his important role in preserving the UAE's cultural heritage through his poetic and cultural works — which have become an essential reference for researchers and those interested in the history of the region.
This selection is considered one of the most prominent international recognitions accorded to a pioneer of Emirati literature — one who documented the features of life and the human condition in the first half of the 20th century. It coincides with the 50th anniversary of his death, and acknowledges his distinguished role in cementing cultural values aligned with the principles of the international organisation.
On this occasion, Bilal Al Budoor, Chairman of the Nadwa Board of Directors, said that the forum launched the award out of belief in the power of the poetic word, and in the view of poetry as a record of events, a guardian of cultural identity, and the most influential force in shaping social awareness and entrenching human values.
Al Budoor noted that naming this edition after the late Ahmed bin Sultan bin Salim is a tribute to the standing of this distinguished Emirati poet and man of letters, and to the role he played in enriching the Emirati cultural scene throughout his literary career.
For his part, Ali Obaid Al Hamli, Vice Chairman of the Nadwa Board of Directors and Secretary-General of the award, confirmed that the award's two previous editions attracted broad and diverse participation from across the Arab world.
He noted that the works submitted affirmed that poetry is an act of awareness and beauty — one of the arts most capable of preserving memory and identity, and asserting the human presence in the face of time, through sincerity of vision, depth of feeling, and expression. Al Hamli expressed hope that the third edition would attract wider participation and more impactful and resonant poetic works.
Regarding the choice to name this edition after Ahmed bin Sultan bin Salim, Al Hamli said it honours the award and affirms the deep respect that cultural circles in the UAE and the Arab world hold for this distinguished Emirati poet and literary figure, and the appreciation for his prominent role in serving Emirati culture.
The Nadwa Culture and Science Forum launched the award with the aim of championing Arabic poetry, highlighting the finest creative poetic experiences in the Arab world, and honouring exceptional poets, as well as affirming the UAE's commitment to nurturing poetry as the art form with which the Arab people first documented their lives, the history of their nation, and their sentiments throughout the ages.
The award is dedicated to classical Arabic poetry (Fusha) across its three categories: traditional metre (Al-Shi'r Al-Amudi), free verse (Shi'r Al-Taf'ila), and prose poetry (Qasidat Al-Nathr). Participation conditions require that each entrant submit a single poem in one category only. The submitted poem must be characterised by originality, quality of poetic construction, strength of imagery and imagination, as well as linguistic integrity.
The poem must also demonstrate sound choice of subject matter, focusing on universal humanitarian issues, and must have been composed specifically for the award — not previously published in any collection or print publication, or through any electronic publishing platform, and not previously recited at any festival or poetry evening.
Entrants must be at least 30 years of age as of 1 March of each year; poems that do not meet the conditions will be disqualified. The total prize money allocated across the three categories amounts to 150,000 dirhams (AED), at 50,000 dirhams per category.