About the Sheikh Hamad Award
Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding was founded in Doha, Qatar, in 2015. Its main objective has always been to promote cross-cultural interaction and exchange between Arabic and world languages through the medium of translation. By rewarding quality translations of creative Arab and Islamic cultural products into world languages, and by rewarding quality translations of significant works of world literature, art and science into Arabic, the Award hopes to establish a two-way transfer of knowledge and inculcate a culture of dialogue and international understanding.
The Award rewards merit and excellence, encourages creativity, honors translators and acknowledges their role in bridging the gaps amongst world languages and cultures, thereby spreading the values of diversity and pluralism.
Over the course of the years, the Award has established itself as one of the world’s most prominent and prestigious awards for translation from and into Arabic.
Vision
By encouraging accuracy and excellence in translation from and into Arabic across all fields, the Award seeks to motivate individuals translators, translation organizations, and institutions. It also aims to bridge cultural perspectives, dispel misconceptions and stereotypes, promote a deeper understanding of Arab and Islamic culture, and strengthen peaceful and constructive relations with cultures around the world.
Objectives
- To honor translators and acknowledge their role in building bridges between nations and peoples of the world.
- To encourage individuals, publishing houses, Arab and international organizations, and institutions to show more interest in creative and quality translations from and into Arabic.
- To contribute to improving the quality of translation from and into Arabic based on excellence, accuracy, and cognitive and intellectual value.
- To enrich the Arab culture with significant works of world literature, art and science, and to equally enrich the world cultural heritage with translations of creative Arab and Islamic cultural products.
- To acknowledge contributions made by any individual or institution to spreading the culture of peace and international understanding.
Award Value
The total value of the Award is two million (US$2.000.000) US Dollars, divided between two categories:
- Single-book Awards for the two wide-spread languages of the year.
- Achievement Awards for both the wide-spread and less wide-spread languages of the year.
Award Management and Structure
The Award is administered by three independent international bodies: the board of trustees, the panels of judges and referees, and the steering committee which oversees the management of the prize. All three bodies maintain and safeguard the standards of transparency, quality and diversity the Award has embraced and cherished ever since its establishment.
Board of Trustees:
The Board of Trustees consists of five to ten members, who are selected from multiple nationalities for a renewable two-year term. The Board members have accumulated decades of experience and expertise in various scientific fields related to thought, culture, translation, and international relations, thus enabling them to provide advice and counsel, contribute to the selection of foreign languages designated for the Award each year, and oversee the evaluation of the administrative and operational performance of the Award.
Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee consists of a group of specialists in the field of translation and management. It undertakes the tasks of supervising the work of the Award, ensuring its transparency and complete separation between the management processes and the selection of works.
None of the members of the Board of Trustees, the Arbitration Committees, or the Steering Committee is eligible to run for the Award.
Arbitration Committees:
Prizes are awarded according to the recommendations of independent international Arbitration Committees. They are selected by the Award Steering Committee in consultation with the Board of Trustees. It is possible to increase - or decrease - the number of members of each committee according to the need. The assistance of arbitrators and consultants with specific specializations is also sought in order to evaluate works in their areas of expertise.
Board of Trustees:
- Hassan Nehme - Secretary General
- Halit Eren
- Shui Qingguo (Bassam)
- Yoon Eun Kyung (Nabila)
- Michael Cooperson
- Fatemeh Parchekani
- Shukri Mujahid
- Abdesselam Benaabdelaali
- Zouaoui Beghoura
Judging Criteria
Value of the Translated Work (20 points)
- Importance of the work in the source culture (10 points)
- Importance of the work in the target culture (10 points)
Translation Quality (50 points)
- Preserving the content and spirit of the original work (20 points)
- Accuracy of the translation (20 points)
- Omissions or additions (comments, footnotes, technical and bibliographic indexes) (10 points)
Translation Style (30 points)
- Language integrity (15 points)
- Translation readability, smoothness and aesthetics (15 points)
Timeline
1
2026-01-01
Nominations and applications open
2
2026-03-31
Nominations and applications close
Award Categories
Single Book Category
The “Single-Book” category is dedicated to single translations, whether from or into Arabic, within the wide-spread languages selected each round. Nominations are accepted from the candidates themselves, and they can also be carried out by individuals or institutions.
Achievement Category
The Achievement Category honors long-term efforts made by individuals and institutions in the field of translation from or into the Arabic language. The award is granted for outstanding accomplishments in the field of translation from or into the Arabic language that have contributed to enriching cultural and intellectual exchange.
