At HM’s Behest, Endowments Minister Presides
Over Ceremony to Confer Sultan
Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts, Literature

Muscat, 17 Dec
2025 (ONA) — At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr.
Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs,
today presided over a ceremony to hand over the Sultan Qaboos Award for
Culture, Arts and Literature 2025 (12th edition) at Al Wahat Club in
the Governorate of Muscat.

The top
three winners of this year’s award were: Asilah Forum Foundation (among
private cultural institutions), Essam Mohamed Sayed Darwish (in the field of sculpture—arts branch)
and Hikmat A’Sabbagh (Autobiography—Literature branch).

The ceremony
included a speech by Habib bin Mohammed Al Riyami, Chairman of Sultan Qaboos
Higher Centre for Culture and Science, who underscored the significance of the
award, noting that the deserving winners serve as role models of diligence and inspiration.

Al Riyami pointed out that the award has garnered
far-reaching dimensions that span the whole geographical area of the Arab world,
encouraging talented persons and innovative institutions to participate in a
broad spectrum of visions that promise to unveil a more thriving future in the fields of
culture, arts and literature.

Al Riyami affirmed that the sorting
panels and the adjudicating jury comprise high-profile specialists who operate
within the precise set of standards to ensure the winning candidates would
contribute works that are worthy of winning the award.

The ceremony also included a video
presentation about the award’s 11th edition and a thrilling
performance by Oman Music Centre.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari announced the categories of the
award in its 13th edition, which will be exclusive for Omani contestors.
The forthcoming edition will focus on family and childhood studies in the
Sultanate of Oman, Arabic calligraphy and short stories.

— Ends/Bishara