Liblib Publishing Wins Beyond Literature Borders Grant

JUNE 11, 2026 — Speaking Volumes announced today that they, in concert with the British Council, had selected this year’s six winners of the “Beyond Literature Borders” grant, awarded for the first time in 2024. In addition to the Arabic children’s publisher Liblib, which brings out Arabic books for young readers in dialect, the other winners were: Anamot Press, Future Transformation, Obsidian Foundation, Writing Our Legacy, and Words Across Waters.

The six awardees were selected by a panel comprised of Zoe Brigley, Peter Kalu, Nashwa Nasreldin and Rachel Stevens.

Liblib’s project, called “It’s Our Art Too! — Rehla“ will happen between London and Cairo, in cooperation with the built environment collective Megawra.

Over email, Liblib founder Nada Sabet said that the aim of the project is to bring together young people in Cairo and London, ages eight to sixteen, for a series of workshops that will explore ” the stories, patterns, objects and ideas that connect cultures through Islamic art.” Through a series of workshops, children and young adults will begin as researchers, and then transition to storytellers and creators, engaging with Islamic art and responding through writing, drawing and discussion.

Their ideas, Sabet says, will be developed into Rehla, or Journey, an “activity book and museum treasure hunt” that will be created by young people for young people. The idea is “to make Islamic art more accessible, engaging and relevant to wider audiences, while celebrating the diverse communities connected to this shared heritage.”

This will build on their work around Islamic art and heritage learning; there will be more resources for children ages 8-12 available for free on the Liblib website later this year.

Photo: A display of Liblib’s books.