Somali author Saleh Dima wins Asma Seddiq novel award

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2024) held a panel discussion hosted by the ‘Asma Seddiq Award for the First Novel’ in collaboration with the Al Multaqa Literary Salon.

During the session, Asma Seddiq Al-Mutawa, founder and chair of Al Multaqa Literary Salon and president of the award, spoke about the launch of the initiative and thanked the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre for enriching the cultural landscape.

Members of the award’s judging committee, including publishers, critics, authors and the secretary general, detailed the participation criteria, submission process, and judging procedures.

Seddiq announced that Somali author Saleh Dima won the second edition of the award for his debut novel ‘Seasons of Sacrifices.’ Dima’s novel ranked ahead of two other finalists selected from 149 eligible submissions out of a record 594 novels received for this year’s award.

The Somali writer, born in 1980 in Kismayo, will receive a $10,000 cash prize. His winning novel will be published in Arabic and translated into English in collaboration with Dar Al Adab publishing house.

Dima expressed happiness at winning the prestigious award for first-time novelists. The session concluded with the committee announcing the opening of submissions for the third edition of the ‘Asma Seddiq Award for the First Novel.’