The Emirates Literature Foundation, the non-profit behind the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, has announced the winners of three different literary prizes aimed at supporting local and regional talent.
Now in its ninth year, the Emirates LitFest Writing Prize has been shedding light on unpublished novelists living in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The selection process for the 2022 award involved three judges, namely Luigi Bonomi and Sheila Crowley, literary agents from the UK, and UAE publisher Kira Jean. Each judge chose an entry from the bank of submissions.
See photos from the 2022 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature's opening day:
This year’s winners are Nicole Asinugo, Angela Hundal and Zahra Alabandi. Asinugo, who currently works at Expo 2020 Dubai, was chosen by Bonomi for her novel This Land is Not For Sale, which centres on a mother and daughter trying to keep their home in Nigeria.
Honey Tiger by Hundal has 11-year-old Mala as its protagonist and follows the fallout of a life-changing event that takes place in Sri Lanka around 2004. The author, who has lived in the UAE for 13 years and has worked as a journalist and editor, was selected by Jean.
Alabandi’s Chasing Grasshoppers, chosen by Crowley, tells the story of a Saudi-American healthcare professional, Zahra, who is navigating the challenges of societal norms and family pressure as a woman living in the Emirates.
Meanwhile, the Emirates Literature Foundation also announced the recipients of First Chapter, the inaugural ELF Seddiqi Writers' Fellowship. The mentorship programme, a partnership with Seddiqi Holding, will include regular workshops, meet-ups and talks with experts from the publishing industry, helping authors to understand the stages of producing a book, from writing to promotion.
The writers will also be paired with published authors who will mentor them throughout the programme.
From 120 applications, both in Arabic and English, 10 were chosen and the fellowships were awarded to Moxie Anderson, Sara Hamdan, Yi-Hwa Hanna, Mustafa Alrawi, Zana Bonafe, Reem Hameed, Kate Tindle, Huda Al Rawajfa, Mona Al Ali and Sara Al Abdullah.
Finally, the winners of the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition have also been announced. The prize has been specifically crafted for young writers as a way to spark literary pursuits in the UAE’s younger generation. For 2022, the theme of the competition is “Here comes the sun”, focusing on ideas of optimism, hope and overcoming hardship.
This year, more than 3,700 students across the UAE submitted their work in Arabic and English, divided across four age-specific categories, ranging from 11 and under to 18 to 25-year-olds. More than 20 students were selected as winners. The young writers will receive a book with their original stories and plaques.
Now in its 14th year, the festival began on Thursday and is taking place until February 13 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 12’) Liverpool 1 (Minamino 73’)
Arsenal win 5-4 on penalties
Man of the Match: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal)
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Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
The five pillars of Islam
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Naga
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
BMW M5 specs
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What can you do?
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
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Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Kashima Antlers 3 (Nagaki 49’, Serginho 69’, Abe 84’)
Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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