Recognising the best scholarly work in Middle Eastern Studies
The British-Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize was founded thanks to an endowment of the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Foundation. The prize attracts around 50 nominations from some 20 publishers each year. The prize is awarded for the best scholarly work on the Middle East. Normally the chronological remit of the prize will be from the rise of Islam until the present day, but outstanding scholarly entries from the pre-Islamic era may also be considered.
Nominations for the 2026 prize (for books published in 2025) should be made by 17 February 2026.
We are delighted to announce that from 2024, the prize money has been increased to £20,000 per annum.
Submit a Book
Are you a publisher of books in Middle Eastern Studies? Submit your book here.
The winning authors receiving their awards from Sheikh Mubarak Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, with HE Mr Bader A Almunayekh and
Frances Guy, Chair of the Judges
