In a significant recognition of academic excellence, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has conferred the esteemed Great Arab Minds Award in Literature and Arts for 2025 upon Professor Charbel Dagher. The announcement made on January 2, 2026, highlights decades of transformative scholarship that has reshaped understanding of Arab cultural heritage.
Professor Dagher, an eminent scholar of Arabic Literature, has produced an extraordinary body of work comprising over ninety publications across multiple genres including poetry, novels, and comprehensive literary studies. His research provides groundbreaking analysis of Arabic literature and art as dynamic expressions continually evolving within their historical, social, and cultural frameworks.
The award specifically recognizes Professor Dagher’s pioneering examinations of modern Arabic poetry, early Arabic novels and theater, and major artistic transformations throughout Arab history. His interdisciplinary approach has created vital connections between Arabic literary traditions and broader civilizational contexts, significantly expanding the global appreciation and reach of Arab cultural contributions.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the profound impact of Dagher’s work in deepening contextual understanding of Arab cultural heritage, noting that his scholarship has fundamentally enriched academic discourse while making Arab artistic and literary traditions more accessible to international audiences. The recognition underscores Dubai’s commitment to celebrating intellectual achievements that bridge cultural divides and promote cross-cultural dialogue through academic excellence.