The Palestinian Ministry of Culture announced the winning of the novel “Remaining Tattoo” published by Takhyeen Publishing and Distribution, by the Kuwaiti writer Abdullah Al-Husseini, of the Ghassan Kanafani Prize for Arabic Novel in its third edition.

The Minister of Culture, Imad Hamdan, said during a press conference held in the forum hall at the Yasser Arafat Museum, "We gather today to announce the Ghassan Kanafani Prize for Arabic Novel in its third edition to announce the deserving of creativity, and Palestine's appreciation for the novel and for Palestinian and Arab novelists, despite the relentless genocide that the occupation continues to commit against our people in Gaza and the West Bank; this prize was established by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture as recognition for the creators who hold onto the word that establishes the truth that rejects distortion, seeking freedom and redemption."

Minister Imad Hamdan added: "On the eighth of July, we reaffirm the necessity of awareness of the importance of culture and the significance of our narrative and story, of which the late Ghassan Kanafani, the martyr and creator, was a chapter, as his cultural and creative actions are still present in the memory, consciousness, and awareness of all Arab and Palestinian generations. We gather in his memory to renew the pledge and loyalty to the living, struggling idea embodied by the wealth of Palestinian creators who wrote, chronicled, and rooted the story, the story of land, humanity, beauty, and life."

Minister Hamdan expressed his gratitude to the president and members of the Ghassan Kanafani Prize jury, chaired by the Moroccan critic and novelist Ahmed Al-Madini, with the membership of the Jordanian novelist Samihah Kharis, the critic and academic Mohamed Al-Shahat from Egypt, the critic and writer Ziad Abu Luban, and the critic and academic Riyada Kamel from Palestine, who stayed up late and followed all the works submitted for the prize from publishing houses and Arab and Palestinian writers from various parts of the world.

Jury member Riyada Kamel stated that the novel “Remaining Tattoo” is characterized by good, cohesive composition, and the remarkable ability of a young novelist, who is still 24 years old, as he excelled in portraying characters and building them in a strong manner that resonates with time and place, reminding us of our great writer Ghassan Kanafani, who left us at a young age.

For his part, novelist Abdullah Al-Husseini thanked the Ministry of Culture and the jury members, and sent greetings to the Palestinian people for their steadfastness in light of what they are subjected to in terms of genocide by the Israeli occupation.

Abdullah Al-Husseini, a writer and screenwriter born in the State of Kuwait in 2000, is a member of the Kuwaiti Writers Association, holding a Bachelor's degree in Literature and Criticism from the Arabic Language Department at Kuwait University. His works include the novel (If You Close Your Eyes), 2017, and the novel (Remaining Tattoo), 2022.

His novel (If You Close Your Eyes) won the Laila Al-Othman Award for Creativity in Short Story and Novel in 2018.

He participated in several literary evenings and meetings, in addition to writing several screenplays, some of which have been produced and others are in production.

For his part, General Director of Literature Abd al-Salam Attari stated that Kanafani’s pulse still beats so that the clock’s strikes continue with the free Palestinian time. Therefore, this creative gesture from Palestine serves as a token of appreciation for the Arabic novel that strengthens our narrative and story and uplifts the tale to remain deeply anchored in Canaan and the history of life on the land of life.