Recipients of 10th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Awards for Translation unveiled

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Updated 14 June 2022
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Recipients of 10th King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Awards for Translation unveiled

  • The work of the winners included Arabic translations of books about data mining, nature and culture, physics as it related to biology and medicine, and carbon capture

RIYADH: The translators of books about culture, physics and data mining are among the latest recipients of the prestigious King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Awards for Translation.

This year’s event, covering works published in 2021, marks the 10th anniversary of the awards. There were six categories and the winners, chosen by the event’s board of trustees, were announced on Monday.

Izz ddeen Khattabi Riffi’s translation from the original French of “Beyond Nature and Culture” by Philippe Descola took the award for works in the humanities category translated into Arabic. It was shared by Abdelnour Kharraki for his translation of “Data Mining for the Social Sciences: An Introduction” by Paul Attewell, David Monaghan and Darren Kwong, originally published in English.

The award for institutions went to the publishing and translation department of Obeikan Company, and to Al-Arabi Publishing & Distribution.

There were also two winners in category for works in the natural sciences translated into Arabic, both for books originally published in English: Dr. Sausan Hassan Al-Sawwaf and Dr. Laila Saleh Babsil for their translation of “Physics in Biology and Medicine” by Paul Davidovits; and Yahya Khlaif and Abdullatif Al-Shuhail for their translation of “Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration” by Berend Smit, Jeffrey A Reimer and Curtis M. Oldenburg.

Three awards were presented in the category of Individual Efforts in Translation, to Hamza Qablan Al-Mozainy from Saudi Arabia, Murtazo Saydumarov from Uzbekistan, and Samir Mina Masoud Greeis, who is of Egyptian-German nationality.

The judges decided to withhold the awards in the two remaining categories, for books about the humanities and natural sciences translated from Arabic into other languages.


Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

Updated 11 January 2026
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Taif festival celebrates Saudi Arabia’s literary icons

  • It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content

TAIF: A special section highlighting key Saudi literary figures forms part of the Writers and Readers Festival in Taif.

The area explores the lives of distinguished writers, poets, and authors who have shaped the Kingdom’s creative landscape, influencing literature, journalism, theater and intellectual thought.

It introduces visitors to the contributions of literary pioneers through accessible visual and narrative content, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the festival runs until Jan. 15 and features 42 prominent publishing houses from Saudi Arabia and overseas, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest works in literature, philosophy and general knowledge.

Meanwhile, the festival’s interactive murals section engages visitors with openwork art panels, allowing them to contribute to the city’s features and identity.

The murals depict Taif’s natural and historical landmarks, including Al-Hada Mountain, the Taif rose gardens, and traditional Hijazi palaces. Others are inspired by Souq Okaz, a historic literary and commercial center linked to the region’s poetic heritage.

Designed by a visual artist, they blend folk-inspired elements with imaginative expression, creating a collaborative experience that celebrates the city’s beauty and brings art closer to the public.