By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait
The 27th Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Book Prize was held this week at SOAS University of London, reaffirming the award’s position as one of the most respected recognitions of English-language scholarship on the Middle East.
This year’s winner, Prophet of Reason by Dr. Peter Hill, was selected by an independent judging panel chaired by Ambassador Frances Guy — two titles — Toiling for Oil by Touraj Atabaki and Companionship and Virtue in Classical Sufism by Jason Welle were named runners-up for their important contributions to the field. (Ambassador Frances Guy is a British former diplomat and current Chief Executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance)
Hill’s winning work was praised for its extensive archival research and its vivid portrayal of Mikhail Mishaqa, whose life reflects the intersections of science, religion, and political transformation in the modern Middle East.
Speaking to KUNA, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the UK, Bader Al-Munaikh, highlighted the award’s significance, noting that it reflects Kuwait’s long-standing commitment to culture, intellectual exchange, and the advancement of deeper Kuwaiti–British cooperation in education and research. He emphasized that the partnership with SOAS has shaped generations of scholars and remains central to the award’s success.
Representing the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Foundation, Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Sabah described the prize as a bridge connecting ideas, people, and historical narratives. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting scholarship that enriches global understanding of the Middle East and expressed gratitude to Ambassador Al-Munaikh and the Kuwait Embassy team for their ongoing support.
For more than two decades, the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Foundation has attracted around 50 submissions each year, maintaining its mission to celebrate original and accessible research on the Middle East, while supporting the British–Kuwait Friendship Society (BKFS) and its annual award ceremony. BKFS, established in 1996, works to strengthen scholarly, cultural, and commercial ties between the two nations.
Over the years, the Society has enjoyed high-level patronage, including from King Charles III and Dr. Sheikha Souad Al-Sabah, highlighting the enduring importance of the UK–Kuwait partnership.
This year’s ceremony, presented by Sheikh Mubarak Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, served as a reminder of the enduring partnership between Kuwait and the UK. As both nations look ahead, initiatives such as the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Book Prize continue to strengthen cultural diplomacy, promote dialogue, and reinforce a shared commitment to intellectual excellence and mutual understanding.
