DECEMBER 22, 2025 — Today, the Bait AlGhasham DarArab International Translation Prize announced its 2026 shortlists in three categories: Translators, Authors, and Omani Publications.
The shortlisted titles come from a mix of acclaimed and emerging authors, by authors across the region.
Shortlist – Translators Category
Angel of the South, translated by Peter Theroux — ملائكة الجنوب by Najem Wali
Cairo Maquette, translated by Katherine Van de Vate — ماكيت القاهرة by Tareq Imam
People and Lizards, translated by Osama Hammad and Marianne Dhenin — البشر والسحالي by Hassan Abdel-Mawgoud
Things Are Not in Their Place, translated by Zia Ahmed — الأشياء ليست في أماكنها by Huda Hamad
Village of the Hundred, translated by Enas El-Torky — قرية المائة by Rehab Luay
Shortlist – Authors Category
Ab‘ad Ghayr Mar’iyya (أبعاد غير مرئية) — Short-story collection by Mustafa Mallah
Al-Matador (الماتادور) — Novel by Majdi Daibes
Jibal Al-Judari (جبال الجدري) — Novel by Abd Al-Hadi Shaalan
Jarash Jarash (جرس جرس) — Novel by Wael Raddad
Ka’in Ghayr Sawi (كائن غير سوي) — Novel by Tahir Al-Noor
Shortlist – Omani Publications Category
Tahta Zill Al-Zilal (تحت ظل الظلال) — Novel by Mohammed Qart Al-Jazmi
Arous Al-Gharqa (عروس الغرقة) — Novel by Amal Abdullah
Qawanin Al-Faqd (قوانين الفقد) — Short-story collection by Mazen Habeeb
The shortlists were selected by two independent judging panels.
This year’s Translators category was judged by Dr. Samaher Al-Dhamen, Marcia Lynx Qualey, and Luke Leafgren, winner of last year’s Bait AlGhasham DarArab International Translation Prize in the translation category. The Authors and Omani Publications categories, meanwhile, were were judged by Dr. Amir Taj Al-Sir, along with two previous winners of the prize: Bushra Khalfan and Yas Al-Saeedi.
According to organizers, the 2026 prize received 346 submissions in the Authors category, 34 in the Translators category, and 10 in the Omani Publications category.
The prize, now in its third year, grants approximately GBP 70,000 across its three categories,which goes to translation, editing, publishing, and international promotion of its winning titles.
The winning works are set to be announced in conjunction with the 2026 Muscat International Book Fair, set for March 26 – April 5.