Announcement of the Winners of the Literary Asia 2025 Competition

In its fifth edition, and coinciding with the 560th anniversary of the founding of the Kazakh Khanate (the emergence of the Kazakh state in 1465), the Jury Committee of the international competition “Literary Asia – 2025” announces the commencement of its activities and honors the winners in one of the most prominent cultural initiatives promoting literary dialogue among the peoples of Asia and the world.

This edition of the competition, founded by the Kazakh writer Bakhit Rustmov, celebrates Kazakhstan’s rich historical heritage and reinforces the values of cultural exchange and the discovery of creative talents in poetry and short fiction. The organizing committee formed a high-level jury panel for works submitted in Arabic, comprising distinguished poets, novelists, critics, academics, and cultural journalists from several countries, ensuring the highest standards of professionalism and transparency in evaluating submissions.

The jury was chaired by Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, the renowned poet, novelist, and cultural journalist whose contributions to Arab cultural journalism span more than three decades. He has served as editor for leading Arab magazines and Reuters in Cairo, published and translated dozens of books, and participated as a jury member in international literary and film festivals across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. He has received numerous prestigious awards reflecting his standing in the international cultural arena, adding deep expertise and solid critical vision to the jury’s work.

The committee further included Egyptian writer Khaled Soliman, a short story writer, theater critic, and cultural journalist currently residing in Tunisia. He has contributed to major Arab magazines such as Adab wa Naqd and Al Arabi, and has presented radio and television programs on folk literature. He worked as a correspondent for AsiaN News Network and contributes to amplifying African voices in international media through the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) magazine.

Also serving on the jury was the poet and writer Hamid Nazar Khah Alisaraei (Adonis Dodestani), a journalist and researcher in folklore, born in 1978 in Kouchesfahan. He is the founder and president of the Kouchesfahan Poetry and Literature Association and director of the “Gil Kouchesfahan” Cultural Institute. He published the poetry collection “Lullaby of the Wind,” organized national and international festivals, and is an active member of cultural organizations such as WPM and CIESART. His works have been translated into more than 15 languages.

The jury also included the Egyptian writer, poet, and visual artist Mohamed Okasha, a member of the Writers’ Union and the Fine Artists Syndicate. Okasha has received several literary awards, including the WOW International Festival Award (Nigeria, 2024), the World Poets Association Award (Kazakhstan, 2023), and the Sawiris Award for Short Story (2007). His works have been translated into French, English, and Ukrainian, and he has participated in international poetry anthologies.

The jury also included Dr. Osama Abdul Jabbar, Assistant Professor in the Graduate Department at the Rouda College of Arabic Sciences, Kerala. He holds a PhD in Arabic Language and Literature from the University of Calicut, a Master’s degree in Arabic, and a Diploma in Linguistics from Aligarh Muslim University. He has published and translated several books and participated in academic conferences in the UAE, Kuwait, and India.

The competition awards three Certificates of Recognition to the top three winners in each category, in addition to the Grand Prix (ICPD) Gold Medal. Annual honorary titles are also granted to distinguished participants, such as “Poet of the Year,” “Writer of the Year,” “Journalist of the Year,” “Media Personality of the Year,” and “Blogger of the Year.”

Through this edition, “Literary Asia – 2025” reaffirms its commitment to supporting emerging voices, celebrating cultural diversity, and strengthening the presence of Arabic literature within the broader Asian sphere, guided by a cultural vision that values creativity as a bridge between civilizations.

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Winners of the Literary Asia 2025 Competition

We are pleased to officially announce the winners of the Literary Asia 2025 Competition, from Kazakhstan, initiated by the writer Bakhit Rustmov, in celebration of outstanding literary achievements in poetry and prose.

This year’s competition brought together distinguished literary voices whose works demonstrated originality, cultural depth, artistic craftsmanship, and imaginative strength.

In each category, the First Prize winner receives a Gold Medal, while the following three winners receive Certificates of Recognition.

Poetry Category

🥇 Gold Medal
Ahlam Mohsen Zalzala (Lebanon)
Work: Bila Qiyamah / Jinas
For her strong revolutionary poetry distinguished by expressive intensity and powerful thematic presence.

📜 Certificates of Recognition

Second Place
Hanane Sbibi (Morocco)
Work: Mon Caftan Maghrébin
For classical poems of notable quality and refined expression.

Third Place
Bilal Al Masry (Lebanon)
Work: Whenever the Pen is Sharpened, a Butterfly Flies from Its Head
For a new poetic voice rich in imagination and vivid imagery.

Fourth Place
Salwa Mahmoud Mohamed El-Sayed (Egypt)
Works: Huwwa Al-Shi‘r / Labbaik Rabbi Hajjan
For well-crafted classical poems marked by clarity and lyrical strength.

Prose Category

🥇 Gold Medal
Ahmed Farouk Beydoun (Egypt)
Works: I Will Succeed Even If I Am Buried Alive / The Ant’s Bear
For two finely constructed stories combining local flavor with renewed imagination and narrative confidence.

📜 Certificates of Recognition

Second Place
Zahi Saqr Noufal (Syria)
Work: Al-Natour (The Watchman)
For a carefully crafted story characterized by strong language and narrative coherence.

Third Place
Farouk Ghanem Khaddaj (Lebanon)
Works: The Last Call from the Mountain / When the Easterner Stepped Out of His Cloak
For very short stories distinguished by elegant style and expressive language.

Fourth Place
Amal Ziada (Egypt)
Work: Prisoner of Nothingness
For a science fiction story written in a classical tone and notable for its effective dialogue.

We extend our warmest congratulations to all winners for their remarkable contributions to contemporary literature. Their works reflect the creative diversity and literary excellence that the Literary Asia Competition seeks to promote and uphold.

Congratulations to all participants and award recipients.