Saudi author Abdullah Nasser has been named among six finalists for the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding Arabic-language novels. His work, *This Is Not a Bullet*, published by Al-Karma Publishers, is part of this year’s shortlist announced by the American University in Cairo Press on Sunday.
The shortlist was chosen from 143 submissions representing 23 countries across the Arab world and beyond, highlighting a diverse range of contemporary voices in Arabic literature. The winner of the award, which includes a $5,000 cash prize along with the translation and publication of the winning novel, will be revealed on December 11, 2026.
*This Is Not a Bullet* follows a Saudi narrator who is drawn into revisiting an old court case after recalling a childhood memory of his father firing a bullet. The novel explores themes of family secrets, guilt, and the enduring impact of past traumas.
The other finalists cover a wide spectrum of themes and styles. Egyptian writer Ahmad Abdulfattif’s *The Origin of the Species*, published by Hayat Publishing, presents a surreal narrative envisioning humanity’s ultimate transformation. Gomaa Adel, also Egyptian, offers a story of displacement and personal journey in *Longa-Cairo Nuweiba* (Wazir Books), centered on a woman named Asia who leaves her troubled life in Cairo to travel through Sinai.
From Iraq, Iman Kachachi’s *A Swiss Summer* (Al-Dar Al-Masriah Al-Lubnaniah) examines the lives of four Iraqi refugees living in Switzerland as they confront memories, political rifts, and ideological conflicts carried from their homeland. Palestinian writer Mohamed Jubaiti’s *No Mail to Gaza* (Dar Al-adab) tells the story of a young gravedigger in Gaza, while Egyptian author Talal Faisal’s *An Old Egyptian Madness* (Diwan Publishing) rounds out the selection.
The Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature continues to be one of the leading platforms for recognizing and promoting contemporary Arabic fiction, fostering greater awareness and appreciation of the region’s literary achievements.