Qatar’s prestigious Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding 2016, which recognises Arabic translations in foreign languages other than English, was awarded to Dr Salem Almani. He received it for his translation of Diez Mujeres (Ten Women) by Chilean author Marcela Serrano, published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press). Aside from this title, Dr Saleh was also honoured for his outstanding contribution to the Arabic translation industry with his translation of more than 100 Latin American novels.
Launched in 2015, the Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding aspires to inculcate a culture of knowledge and dialogue, develop international understanding, and intellectual interaction and exchange between Arabic and other world languages. It seeks to reward excellence in literature and encourage creativity. It also aims to honour translators and acknowledge their role in strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation amongst people and nations of the world, spreading the values of diversity, pluralism and openness, and upholding the highest moral and ethical standards.