Damascus, Sept. 17 (SANA)Tunisian writerImad Ali Qidahas won the 2026Khaled Khalifa Novel Awardfor his novel “Al-Munsarimoun,” the award’s organizers announced.

Qida won the second edition of the annual award, which is open to Arab writers submitting their first previously unpublished novel. He will receive a $1,000 prize, and the winning novel will be published by an established publishing house.

An award ceremony is scheduled for September 30 in Latakia, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of Syrian novelist Khaled Khalifa.

The jury, chaired by Palestinian novelist Liana Badr and including Syrian novelist and critic Shahla Ujayli and Egyptian critic Khairy Douma, said the novel explores Tunisia’s political history through a combination of real and fictional characters.

Set in Tunisia across two periods, the narrative moves between the 19th century and the post-revolution period in the city of Nabeul.

The jury said the novel has a complex structure that employs multiple narrative voices, real and fictional documents and shifts across different periods, places and characters, while maintaining suspense and tracing the protagonist’s journey through personal, national and existential dimensions.

It also praised the novel’s narrative language for moving away from traditional rhetoric and excessive sentiment, focusing instead on details of everyday life and portraying what its characters see, feel and recall.

The Khaled Khalifa Novel Award was established by friends of the late Syrian novelist in tribute to his name and literary legacy. It aims to support emerging Arab novelists whose work reflects innovation, freedom of expression and cultural depth.

Khalifa died in September 2023, and the award was established on the first anniversary of his death.