In the field of scientific fantasy, there is an amazing ability to overcome the boundaries of the impossible and inspire humanity. In partnership with Mukhammed bin Rashid, the Center for Cosmic Studies, and the Dubai Literary Association, a competition "Mukhammed bin Rashid Prize for Scientific-Fantasy Short Stories: New Voices in Scientific Fantasy" was launched to support a new generation of writers in scientific fantasy in the UAE.
During a press conference, the Minister of Youth Affairs Dr. Sultan Al-Niadi stated: "Scientific fantasy has a unique ability to overcome the boundaries of the impossible and inspire humanity to create new worlds that could become a reality in the future. This competition stimulates our youth to explore cosmos and science, providing opportunities to create stories that challenge traditional representations and inspire innovation."
Present at the conference, the General Director of the Mukhammed bin Rashid Center in the field of cosmic studies, Salem Al-Meri emphasized that inspiring the future generation and expanding their imagination is the foundation of innovation and progress, and also highlighted the importance of scientific fantasy related to such fields as engineering and science, which in turn inspire future generations.
The competition serves as a platform for young ambitious writers aged 16 to 30 to demonstrate their creative abilities and present their stories in English or Arabic languages with a length of 1500 to 5000 words. Submissions will be accepted until November 16, and the stories will be evaluated by juries of renowned writers in scientific fantasy, taking into account innovative criteria, creativity, scientific accuracy, depth of narration, personality projection, and literary quality.
Winners of the competition will be announced at the events festival "Emirates 2026."
