Doha: Qatar's Cultural Village Foundation, Katara, has honored the top three winners of the inaugural Katara Prize for Manuscripts and Archaeological Sites 2024 at a ceremony attended by scholars and cultural figures. The first prize was awarded to Syrian researcher Walid Al Suraqbi, while Egyptian researchers Ahmed Abdelbaset and Ahmed Abdelsattar shared second place. The third prize went to Noha Hussein Al Hefnawi, also from Egypt.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event also recognized members of the award's judging panel - Dr. Omar Al Ajli, Dr. Mohammed Al Rahawi, and Dr. Samir Qaddouri - as well as Abdullah Mohammed Bilal, head of Mauritania's manuscript house association, for his efforts in preserving Arab manuscript heritage.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Katara's General Manager, said the award reflects Katara's commitment to reviving Arab and Islamic manuscript heritage as an essential part of cultural identity and intellectual history. He added that the initiative complements Katara's other major literary awards, including those for the novel, Arabic poetry, and the Prophet's Poet.