U.A.E. announces awards, including UNESCO, YA book author, and Children's Lit author, excerpt from Kahleej Times

UNESCO wins Shaikh Zayed Book Award
(Wam)

5 March 2012
ABU DHABI — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has won the Cultural Personality of the Year Award issued by Shaikh Zayed Book Award, for its key role in preserving the global cultural heritage liberated of prejudice or discrimination, and embracing the inter-cultural communication among peoples since 1945.

The Board of Trustees of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award under the chairmanship of Shaikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, met to review and discuss the report of the Award’s “Scientific Committee”, with respect to the recommendations of the works and organizations nominated to win the prizes of the Award’s different categories at its sixth session.

The Annual Award Ceremony will be held on the 29th of the current month of March, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.

After thorough discussions and extensive review of the nominated works by the judging panels and the Scientific Committee, the following has been decided: “Young Author” – Layla Al Obaidi from Tunisia for her book “Al Fakh in Islam” (Humor in Islam) published by Dar al Saqi).

The Award’s Scientific Committee’s decision came in recognition of the scientific analytical approach the author has followed in researching the topic of humor in the Arab Islamic heritage, with an in-depth examination of scripts and events. The book has been also seen a promotion of the true values of Islam which is founded on peaceful coexistence that steers clear from hatred and prejudice. The six Chapters in the book reveal thorough analysis and methodological citation of scripts with attention to variation of sources used by the Author.

“Children’s Literature” – Abdo Wazen from Lebanon for his novel “The Boy Who Saw the Color of Air” (Published by Dar al Arabiyya Lil Oloum Nashiroon). The novel describes in a beautiful narrative language the life of people with special needs often neglected in youngsters literature. The topic promotes fundamental ethical values amongst young readers, and portrays “Strong Will” as a major human value for “Basem”, the novel’s main character to achieve his goals, especially that the author masterfully managed to construct it in a smooth read for the youngsters. Basem is a 13 year old boy, who is blind, he learns reading and opens up to the world with a strong will against the many obstacles he faces.