Egyptian Cinema and Song Legend Najat Al Saghira Honoured at the 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award in Abu Dhabi

Scholars and authors from across the Arab world were honoured for their contributions at the 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award on Wednesday. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed highlighted the award’s importance as a global platform expanding the presence of Arab creativity during the event, which is held alongside the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair running until Friday.

Sheikh Theyab, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, personally handed awards to the winners across multiple categories. The honoured individuals include Egyptian author Ashraf Al Elashmawy in the Literature category, Moroccan researcher Mustapha Rajouane in the Young Author category, and Iraqi-American researcher Nawal Nasrallah in the Translation category.

Additional winners recognized at the ceremony included Jordanian author Zuhair Tawfiq in the Literary and Art Criticism category, German scholar and translator Stefan Weidner in the Arab Culture in Other Languages category, and Egyptian Prof Dr Mohamed Elkhosht in the Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias, and Lexicons category.

A special award was presented to Egyptian artist Najat Al Saghira, who was named the Cultural Personality of the Year. Al Saghira is renowned as a legend of Egyptian cinema and music from the golden age of Arab music spanning the 1940s to the 1960s. In the UAE, she holds the historic distinction of having sung the national anthem on the nation's first National Day on December 2, 1972, shortly after the country was founded.

The Abu Dhabi Government Media Office noted that she received the honour for her significant contributions to the Arabic language through her timeless songs, which remain an enduring part of Arab cultural memory. Her celebrated career reflects the vital role that the arts play in strengthening communication between different peoples and cultures while preserving cultural identity for future generations.