The most prestigious literary prize in the Arab world has unveiled its nominees.

Two Moroccans, two Egyptians, a Saudi and a Sudanese round out the list of authors in contention for the $50,000 (BD18,853) International Prize for Arabic Fiction, with its guarantee of lucrative translations into English and other languages.

The winner will be announced in March, according to a report in our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News.

The award, now in its fourth year, is one of many in the region but its association with the Booker Prize Foundation has given it an edge over others which are associated with Arab governments.

The Arabic Booker has an elaborate structure of judges and board of trustees to ensure fairness, including Arabs of different nationalities based in the region and abroad as well as non-Arab literary experts and publishing figures.

It is financed by Abu Dhabi's Emirates Foundation.