Saudi author Abdullah Nasser has been named among six finalists for the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, a prestigious regional award recognizing outstanding literary works in the Arab world. Nasser’s novel, *This Is Not a Bullet*, published by Al-Karma Publishers, is one of 143 submissions from 23 countries considered for the prize, which is administered by the American University in Cairo Press.
The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, along with the translation and publication of the winning novel, with the winner scheduled to be announced on December 11.
*This Is Not a Bullet* explores themes of memory, truth, and unresolved familial conflicts, tracing a Saudi narrator’s journey from a childhood recollection of his father firing a bullet to an old court case. This quest compels the narrator to confront hidden family secrets, feelings of guilt, and the lingering effects of the past.
The other shortlisted novels cover a wide range of themes including surrealism, displacement, resistance, and historical reflection. Egyptian writer Ahmad Abdullatif’s *The Origin of the Species*, published by Hayat Publishing, offers a surreal portrayal of humanity’s eventual transformation. Another Egyptian author, Gomaa Adel, is nominated for *Longa Cairo Nuweiba* (Waziz Books), which follows a character named Asia as she escapes a troubled life in Cairo and journeys through the Sinai Peninsula.
Iraqi novelist Iman Kachachi’s *A Swiss Summer* (Al-Dar Al-Masriah Al-Lubnaniah) centers on four Iraqi refugees living in Switzerland who grapple with the memories, political divisions, and ideological conflicts from their homeland. Palestinian writer Mohamed Jubaiti’s *No Mail to Gaza* (Dar Al-Adab) tells the story of a young gravedigger in Gaza, providing insight into life amid ongoing difficulties in the region. Egyptian writer Talal Faisal rounds out the shortlist with *An Old Egyptian Madness* (Diwan Publishing).
The Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature is recognized for celebrating notable achievements in Arab literature, and its selection committee draws from a broad array of voices to highlight contemporary narratives across the Arab world. This year’s shortlist reflects diverse perspectives and explores a spectrum of social and historical issues faced by the region.