Saudi novelist Abdo Khal, who will be speaking at the 2010 Festival, is one of six authors shortlisted for the 2010 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF). He was nominated for his book She Throws Sparks, which examines the seductive nature of power – and its destructive effects.

The other shortlisted authors are Mansoura Ez Eldin, who spoke at the 2009 Festival, Muhammad Al Mansi Qindeel, Rabee Jabir, Rabai’ Madhoun, and Jamal Naji. The Festival organisers congratulate all six authors on being shortlisted.

Popularly known as the “Arab Booker” due to its association with the Booker Prize Foundation, the prize is supported by the Emirates Foundation in Abu Dhabi in its efforts to support contemporary Arabic writing and promote translation. The prize will be awarded on 2 March 2010 at the Abu Dhabi Book Fair.

Previous IPAF winners Youssef Ziedan (2009) and Bahaa Taher (2008) will also be appearing at the 2010 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

More information about the authors and the prize can be found in these articles:

http://www.arabnewsblog.net/2009/12/16/the-international-prize-for-arabic-fiction-2010/
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091219/NATIONAL/912189989/1010/