The General Secretariat of the International Arabic Creative Writing Competition in Short Stories for Children is pleased to announce the results of its sixth edition, held under the theme “Fifteen Centuries of the Life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ”.
This year’s competition received 143 submissions from participants of different ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, reflecting growing interest in Arabic children’s literature and creative writing. The submissions included 80 female participants and 63 male participants, with a particularly strong presence from young writers aged 17 to 25.The competition attracted participants from Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and the United States, confirming its expanding international reach and its role in promoting Arabic language, culture, and creativity among emerging generations. The submitted works varied across several genres, including fictional stories, informational stories, and scientific or encyclopedic stories for children.
Following an initial review and classification by the Reading Committee, the stories were evaluated by the Judging Committee according to a rigorous assessment grid comprising 13 criteria, including relevance to the theme, originality, language quality, suitability for children, narrative structure, educational values, emotional impact, informational accuracy, visual elements, and respect for technical requirements. The evaluation was based on a total score of 140 points.
The award ceremony was held in a hybrid format at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, bringing together participants, guests, and online attendees. The General Secretariat is pleased to announce the winners of this edition:
- First Prize: Meryam Benhamou, for A Night That Cannot Be Measured in Hours
- Second Prize: Mohamed Anwar Haroun, for Light from a Fragrant Biography: The Story of Youssef and the Golden Lamp
- Third Prize: Hiba Daoud, for The Race of Hope
The General Secretariat warmly congratulates the winners and extends its appreciation to all participants for their creative contributions. It also reaffirms its commitment to supporting Arabic children’s literature, encouraging young literary talent, and strengthening the culture of reading and writing in Arabic among future generations.