Muscat: The Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science today announced winners of the 12th Edition of the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature.

According to Oman News Agency, in the branch of culture, the Aseelah Forum Foundation from Morocco emerged as the top private cultural institution. In the field of arts, Egyptian sculptor Issam Mohamed Sayyed Darwish claimed the award, while Lebanese author Hikmat Al Sabbagh was recognized in the literature category.

The Sultan Qaboos Competition for Culture, Arts and Literature is organized to celebrate intellectual and cognitive achievements. The annual award aims to support intellectuals, artists, and writers. It is exclusively for Omani contestants one year, followed by a round for Omanis and other Arab contestants the next year.

A total of 466 candidates participated in the 12th edition of the award. Habib Mohammed Al Riyami, Chairman of the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, noted that the award has addressed various aspects of soft power in Oman over the years. Al Riyami highlighted the centre’s goal of presenting the civilization aspects of Oman to the world. The round dedicated to Omanis aims to enhance local ambitions, while the subsequent round showcases Oman’s outreach beyond its geographical boundaries.