AGP Executive Report

NYC Big Book Award: Joseph Howse’s The Circus and the Atom swept World Literature and Audiobook-Fiction, also earning a cover-design distinction, while his earlier The Girl in the Water won an audiobook category nod. Middle East Education Controversy: Tony Blair denies claims that he was tasked with urging Palestinians to remove “Palestine” from school curricula as part of Israel-Palestine talks. Whistleblowing & Power: Former CIA officer Pedro Israel Orta’s The Broken Whistle spotlights failed safeguards, retaliation, and oversight gaps inside the intelligence community. Baghdad Book Fairs: Iraq’s 27th Baghdad International Book Fair opened with 600+ publishers and strong public turnout, with Oman as guest of honor. Qatar in Publishing: Qatar joined the Moscow International Book Fair with translation, IP, and publishing panels aimed at boosting Qatari intellectual materials abroad. Literacy Push: Worldreader launched the first-ever All Families Reading Challenge, linking early literacy with family health and development. Arab Ties via Language Learning: A report highlights Arabic learners using structured, business-focused language courses and online tutoring across the Arab world.

Qatar at Moscow International Book Fair: The Moscow International Book Fair opened with Qatar participating via its Ministry of Culture, aiming to boost Qatari intellectual materials and support local publishers through translation, publishing and IP business meetings with Russian and other foreign houses. Baghdad Book Fair returns: Iraq’s 27th Baghdad International Book Fair opened with 600+ publishers and strong attendance, with Oman as guest of honour and a focus on shared cultural ties and Arabic literary scholarship. Arabic fiction prize spotlight: AUC Press announced the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal shortlist (143 submissions from 23 countries), with six novels from five countries; the winner is set for Dec. 11, 2026, and shortlisted works will be translated and published by AUC Press. Reading for families: Worldreader launched the first-ever All Families Reading Challenge, linking early literacy with family health and development through a month-long International Literacy Month campaign. Publishing & culture in the Gulf: Sharjah’s cultural coverage highlights Emirati theatre support and museum leadership moves, reinforcing the region’s push to preserve heritage and expand access to knowledge.

Middle East Conflict & Publishing/Media: Iran and the U.S. traded strikes again as hostilities reignited around the Strait of Hormuz, with oil jumping above $90 and markets rattled by “kinetic hostilities” and rising yields—an atmosphere that’s also feeding a flood of Middle East-related books, commentary, and translation demand. Arabic Fiction Spotlight: AUC Press announced the 2026 Naguib Mahfouz Medal shortlist (143 submissions from 23 countries), with six novels from five countries; the winner lands Dec. 11 and winning titles are translated into English. Cultural Heritage & Books: Sharjah’s Turjuman Award opened submissions (deadline Sep. 15), aiming to boost both original Arabic works and their foreign-language translations. Publishing Industry Moves: Vibe Media Group launched Journeys Unpacked (Place Intelligence), shifting travel media from “where to go” lists to how places work. AI Ads & Global Reach: OpenAI says ChatGPT Ads hit a $1B annualized run rate and is expanding self-serve access to India, Europe, and the Middle East & North Africa. Palestinian Art Memory: A feature revisits Sliman Mansour’s “Camel of Hardship,” tracing how the image spread across Palestinian homes and remains embedded in collective memory.

Naguib Mahfouz Medal: AUC Press has unveiled the 2026 shortlist for Arabic fiction, selecting six novels from 143 submissions across 23 countries, with the winner due Dec. 11 and translations published by AUC Press. Sharjah Cultural Push: Al Rafid spotlights Sharjah’s cultural leadership, including an Emiri decree appointing Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi to lead the Sharjah Museums Authority, plus World Refugee Day remarks from Sheikha Jawaher. Palestinian Art Memory: A profile revisits how Sliman Mansour’s “Camel of Hardship” became a widely reproduced Palestinian icon, embedded in childhood and collective remembrance. Abu Dhabi Wizarding Buzz: Harry Potter fans gather for “Back to Hogwarts” in London as HBO’s adaptation heads to OSN+ and a Harry Potter-themed land develops at Warner Bros World Yas Island. Publishing & Translation Awards: Sharjah’s Turjuman Award opens its call, aiming to boost international circulation of Arabic books by rewarding both original Arabic works and their foreign-language translations. UAE September Calendar: The UAE announces a packed September lineup, led by the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (Sept. 13–18). AI Ads Expand to MENA: OpenAI says ChatGPT Ads hit a $1B annualized run rate and is expanding self-serve access to India, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Censorship & Disinformation: A new Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited title, Book Bans, Disinformation, and Cultural Erasure, argues today’s censorship drives target marginalized communities and thrive alongside propaganda. Publishing & Rights: The week also spotlights how political pressure reshapes what gets read and said, with a separate wave of debate around democratic speech after Richard Flanagan’s Gaza-focused remarks in Australia. Arab Book Awards: Qatar’s Arab Book Award says it received 835 nominations for its 2026 fourth edition, with 682 in the single-book category and 153 in achievement, spanning linguistic, historical, and Islamic studies. UAE Book Calendar: The UAE announced a packed September of global events, led by Abu Dhabi’s 35th International Book Fair (Sept 13–18) and major education and innovation showcases. Middle East Tech & Ads: OpenAI says ChatGPT Ads hit a $1B annualized run rate in under 200 days, expanding self-serve access into the Middle East and North Africa. War of Narratives: Multiple reports and responses around the Pentagon’s Iran posture underline how classified disputes and public messaging can spill into cultural and information battles.

Pentagon & Iran: Senior US commanders have formally registered objections to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plans to keep large forces in the Middle East, with reporting tied to the classified Secretary of Defense Orders Book and a furious backlash from Pentagon spokespeople over alleged illegal leaks. Publishing & Translation: Qatar’s Arab Book Award says it received 835 nominations for its 2026 fourth edition, with linguistic/critical studies leading submissions. Book Fairs: Abu Dhabi’s September calendar spotlights the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (Balkans as Guest of Honour) alongside major education and innovation events. Arabic Literature Promotion: Sharjah’s Turjuman Award opens submissions for Arabic works and their translations, aiming to boost global circulation of Arab books. Literary Culture: A new Cambridge Companion volume on Martin Amis revisits why the author remains hard to place in the literary canon. Media & Adaptation: Netflix is reportedly eyeing DC and indie graphic novels for potential screen adaptations, signaling continued appetite for comics-to-TV pipelines.

Sharjah Book Authority: The Turjuman Award is open for submissions until Sep. 15, backing Arabic books whose first printed translations (any language) appeared between 2016 and 2026, and judging both the original Arabic work and translation quality to boost Arabic titles in global markets. Qatar’s Arab Book Award: The 4th Arab Book Award has received 835 nominations from 44 countries, with 682 in the single-book category and 153 in the achievement category, led by linguistic/literary/critical studies (33%) and historical studies (27%). Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: ADIBF’s 35th edition will welcome the Balkans as Guest of Honour, spotlighting the region’s literary and cultural legacy, including Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić. Saudi Arabia (King Faisal Prize): A symposium titled “Medicine and Literature Between Human Creativity and Artificial Intelligence” explored AI’s impact on creativity, knowledge, and intellectual property. UAE events calendar: Abu Dhabi and Dubai announced a packed September lineup, starting with the 35th ADIBF (Sep 13–18) and followed by major education and business forums. Audio publishing trend: Immersive, full-cast audiobooks are accelerating, with readers increasingly “waiting for the dramatized version.”

Arab Book Award: Qatar’s Arab Book Award says its 2026 fourth edition drew 835 nominations from 44 countries, with 682 in the single-book category and 153 in the achievement category, spanning linguistic/critical studies (33%), historical studies (27%) and Islamic studies/sharia (19%). Publishing & diplomacy: The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) opens its 35th edition with the Balkans as Guest of Honour, spotlighting the region’s literary and cultural legacy, including Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić. New titles: Reaktion Books releases The Fatimids: Portrait of a Dynasty, positioning the medieval empire at the centre of a wider Middle East–Mediterranean story. Reading formats: A report highlights the rise of immersive, full-cast audiobooks, with demand for dramatized titles surging. Culture & heritage tech: Uzbekistan pushes Islamic scientific and cultural heritage into the digital age via AI and storytelling, framed at an international media forum. Press freedom: Fired Stars and Stripes staff sue the Pentagon over alleged censorship and dismissals.

Abu Dhabi Book Fair Spotlight: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair names the Balkans as Guest of Honour, putting Nobel-winning literature like Ivo Andrić’s The Bridge on the Drina front and center and framing the region’s languages and arts as a bridge for cultural dialogue. Islamic Heritage, Now in Print and Digital: Uzbekistan is pushing Islamic scientific and cultural heritage into the global digital age, using AI and storytelling to reach younger audiences, while a German author’s book on the “99 Beautiful Names of Allah” is set for wider translation. Publishing for New Readers: A Qasbah-rooted chronicle of Madinah traces how early Muslim journalism shaped community life, including a women’s section, showing how print built audiences. Saudi Culture Meets AI: The King Faisal Prize and research center host a symposium on “Medicine and Literature” and how AI is reshaping creativity, knowledge, and intellectual property. Global Book Business: Nani Media House opens franchise applications for its “Good News” titles, pitching airport, in-flight, newsstand, and bookstore distribution with a managed editorial operation. Literary Scholarship: A new study on Leo Strauss links Islamic philosophy to modernity’s crisis, while a monograph on Western Armenian “purity” digs into how language became an ideologically guarded project. Reading Formats: Immersive audiobooks with sound effects and full casts are driving new listening habits, with readers increasingly waiting for dramatized versions.

Abu Dhabi Book Fair Spotlight: The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair welcomes the Balkans as Guest of Honour, spotlighting the region’s literary and cultural heritage and Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić’s legacy. Immersive Audio Trend: Audiobooks are going “full cast,” with music and sound effects driving demand for dramatized formats, pushing readers toward audio-first experiences. Publishing & Distribution Push: Nani Media House opens franchise applications for its “Good News” titles, pitching airport, in-flight, newsstand and bookstore distribution with a fully managed editorial operation. Islam & Violence Debate: A new commentary revisits how Islam is discussed alongside terrorist violence, pointing readers toward scholarship and public statements that challenge stereotypes. Islamic Philosophy Scholarship: A review highlights Georges Tamer’s study of Leo Strauss through medieval Islamic philosophy, linking modernity’s crisis to thinkers like al-Fârâbî, Avicenna and Averroes. Saudi AI + Literature Symposium: The King Faisal Prize and research center host a symposium on “Medicine and Literature” and how AI is reshaping creativity and knowledge. Book Review (Language History): Jennifer Manoukian’s “Purist Pursuits” examines how Western Armenian “purity” was constructed in the Ottoman era, turning language into an ideological project. Rwanda Press Freedom: Coverage on Rwanda’s media environment argues younger journalists face tighter control amid surveillance and arrests.

Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: ADIBF’s 35th edition names the Balkans as Guest of Honour, spotlighting the region’s literary and cultural heritage, including Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić’s The Bridge on the Drina, and framing the fair as a bridge for cultural dialogue. Saudi Arabia & AI in publishing: The King Faisal Prize and King Faisal Center held a symposium on “Medicine and Literature Between Human Creativity and Artificial Intelligence,” bringing together academics and IP/copyright specialists to debate how AI reshapes creativity and knowledge. Qatar cultural publishing: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its ties to education, faith, and public life. UAE literary leadership: A profile highlights Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s work linking women, literature, and institutional governance in Sharjah and beyond. Press freedom & military media: Fired Stars and Stripes staffers sued the Pentagon, alleging censorship and retaliation tied to reporting on conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Reading formats: A report on immersive audiobooks points to full-cast, sound-rich dramatizations driving new reader habits. Education admin: UGC NET June 2026 cut-offs were released, with Arabic topping JRF at 250 and Kashmiri/Bodo lowest at 150.

UAE Culture & Literature: Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi is profiled as a Sharjah-rooted leader whose work links women, reading, and institutional cultural governance to wider global influence. Qatar Publishing & Heritage: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its role in national identity, education, faith, and public life. Book Industry Expansion: Nani Media House opened franchise applications for its “Good News” titles, pitching airport, airline, newsstand, and bookstore distribution plus a fully managed editorial operation. Israel/Palestine Discourse in Books: A new opinion piece revisits Israel’s early statehood war and the long-running hostility narrative, feeding today’s publishing debates on history and identity. Armenian Language Scholarship: Jennifer Manoukian’s Purist Pursuits reviews how “mother tongue” purity myths were constructed in Ottoman-era Western Armenian culture. Germany Education & Publishing: Germany’s Jewish religious education textbook series is set to enter schools for the first time since the Holocaust, with Ernst Klett Verlag producing the multi-volume Hebrew-language materials. Nigeria Literary Tribute: Azu Ishiekwene’s profile of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III highlights his role in interfaith unity and social cohesion.

Franchise Publishing Push: Nani Media House is opening franchise applications for its “Good News” titles, pitching distribution through international airports, airline in-flight networks, newsstands and bookstore chains, with a fully managed editorial operation. Press Freedom Clash: Fired Stars and Stripes staffers (including Middle East reporter Lara Korte) have sued the Pentagon, alleging “extraordinary censorship efforts” and retaliation after coverage of conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Qatar Cultural Publishing: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its role in Qatar’s cultural identity. Jewish Education Textbooks: Germany will introduce a new eight-volume German-language Jewish religious education series for ages 10–16, produced with Ernst Klett Verlag, as antisemitism rises. New Book on Israel’s Arc: Marc Schulman’s Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7 charts three decades from Oslo to October 7, set for Sept. 1 publication. Sultanate Tribute: Azu Ishiekwene marks the 70th birthday of Nigeria’s Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, highlighting his role in inter-faith unity. Arabic Calligraphy Heritage: The Qatar calligraphy release spotlights pioneers like Sheikh Hamed al-Marwani and links the written arts to faith and public life.

Press Freedom & Censorship: Fired Stars and Stripes staffers sued the Pentagon after dismissals tied to alleged “extraordinary censorship,” including Middle East reporting on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Publishing & Distribution: Nani Media House opened franchise applications for its “good news” titles, pitching airport, in-flight, newsstand and bookstore distribution with a fully managed editorial operation. Qatar’s Arabic Heritage: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and key local calligraphers. Education Textbooks: Germany will introduce a new eight-volume Jewish religious education series for ages 10–16, produced with Ernst Klett Verlag, as antisemitism rises. Literary Culture in Bahrain: A Muharraq street was renamed after poet Ali Abdulla Khalifa, honoring his role in shaping Bahrain’s modern cultural identity. Book Launch (Israel/Palestine): Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7 chronicles three decades of Israeli politics, war and reinvention, from Oslo to Oct. 7. Uzbekistan Reading Culture: Tashkent hosted talks on Islamic civilization heritage and combating stereotypes, including plans for a facsimile Quran manuscript project.

Publishing & Culture in the Gulf: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its role in national identity, from early schools to key practitioners. Qatar–France Cultural Dialogue: A French edition of A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue (L’Harmattan) was published, aiming to bring Qatari everyday life to European readers “away from stereotypes.” Bahrain Literary Commemoration: A Muharraq street was named after poet Ali Abdulla Khalifa, honoring his work in poetry, research, and cultural institution-building. Awards & Fairs: TRENDS Research & Advisory will join the Moscow International Book Fair as a knowledge partner, presenting hundreds of publications and seminars. Regional Reading Culture: Uzbekistan hosted a forum on Islamic civilization’s cultural heritage and combating stereotypes, including plans for a facsimile Quran manuscript project. Book Spotlight (Israel/Palestine): A new book, From the Hope of Oslo to the Catastrophe of October 7, chronicles three decades of Israeli politics and war leading to Oct. 7. Education & Textbooks: Germany will introduce Jewish religious education textbooks for ages 10–16 for the first time since the Holocaust, produced with Ernst Klett Verlag. Literary Community: An international Arabic children’s literature award drew 475 entries, highlighting fresh talent across the region.

Qatar Cultural Publishing: Katara Publishing House released Calligraphy and Calligraphers in Qatar, a documentary study by Dr Ali Afifi Ali Ghazi tracing Arabic calligraphy’s development and its ties to education, faith, and public life, spotlighting figures like Sheikh Hamed al-Marwani and the scripts he mastered. Germany Education & Jewish Life: Germany’s schools will receive a new eight-volume Jewish religious education textbook series, produced by the Central Council of Jews in Germany with Ernst Klett Verlag, aiming to teach Torah, prayer, ethics, holidays and history to ages 10–16 amid rising antisemitism. Bahrain Literary Commemoration: A Muharraq street was renamed for poet and writer Ali Abdulla Khalifa, with a plaque unveiled by officials recognizing his role in shaping Bahrain’s modern cultural identity. UAE Children’s Literature: The UAE Board on Books for Young People closed submissions for the 18th International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature with 475 entries, led by the Picture Book category and the UAE as top contributor. Uzbekistan Reading Culture: Uzbekistan’s “Thousand Books for Youth” project continues translating major scientific and literary works into Uzbek to expand reading and strengthen the language for modern scholarship. Qatar–France Translation: L’Harmattan published the French edition of A Qatari on the Banks of the Seine: Cultural Dialogue, translated by Khadija Toukkabri, positioning the book as a bridge beyond stereotypes. Israel-Palestine Publishing: A new book, Between Hope & Fear: Israel from Oslo to October 7, by Marc Schulman, charts three decades of Israeli politics, war, diplomacy and reinvention from Oslo to October 7.