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The American University in Cairo issued a formal statement addressing the inclusion of Rafael Cohen, a Jewish researcher, on the judging panel for the Naguib Mahfouz Award for Literature in 2026.
Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, a major award supporting contemporary Arabic literature in translation.
Established in 1996 by the publishing house of the American University in Cairo, the award is presented each year on December 11, the birthday of the Egyptian Nobel laureate in Literature, Mahfouz.
This choice had sparked controversy in the cultural community, with intellectuals divided between opposition and support.
The researcher’s selection sparked controversy in the cultural community, with intellectuals divided between opposition and support.
Following the outbreak of controversy, the American University in Cairo issued an official statement noting that Raphael Cohen is a British citizen and holds no other nationality.
The university added that he is an activist in the field of global peace and was a member of the International Solidarity Movement, a peaceful organization supporting the Palestinian cause.
The statement further noted that Cohen has translated numerous literary texts and novels both to and from Arabic.
It added that he served as the chair of the judging panel for last year’s Banipal Prize, which recognizes Arabic novels translated into English.
The university explained that the judging committee comprises translators, academics, and literary critics selected based on experience and dedication to analyze submissions thoroughly.
The panel’s composition is periodically renewed to ensure diversity, balance, and updated perspectives in the judging process.
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