Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation honored acclaimed Jordanian novelist Hashem Gharaibeh during a special ceremony celebrating his decades-long contribution to literature, culture, and public life.

Held under the title “In the Presence of Literature and Wisdom: Honoring Hashem Gharaibeh,” the event brought together leading writers, academics, researchers, and cultural figures to reflect on Gharaibeh’s literary legacy and his enduring impact on Jordan’s cultural landscape.

In her address, Valentina Kassisieh, CEO of Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, described Gharaibeh as one of Jordan’s most distinguished literary voices, whose work has consistently placed the human experience at its center.

“Hashem Gharaibeh is a writer whose literary project has remained deeply connected to society, its questions, transformations, and contradictions,” she said. “His writing transcends the local context to speak to universal human concerns, while his characters confront the world with authenticity, vulnerability, and curiosity.”

Kassisieh also highlighted Gharaibeh’s role beyond literature, noting his long-standing commitment to cultural engagement, mentorship, and community building. Through his involvement in cultural institutions, writers’ associations, and creative writing workshops, he has helped nurture new generations of writers and storytellers across Jordan.

Speakers at the event underscored Gharaibeh’s unique contribution to Arabic narrative writing and his influence as both a novelist and public intellectual. Historian and Senator Dr. Hind Abu Al-Shaar shared personal reflections on his literary journey, recalling major milestones in his career and his prominent presence at cultural forums and literary events throughout the region.

Journalist and researcher Ahmad Abu Khalil highlighted Gharaibeh’s decades-long dedication to supporting emerging literary talent, while Dr. Roaa Huwamdeh described him as a writer who remained deeply committed to human values, freedom, and authenticity.

Academic Dr. Omar Al-Ghoul spoke about Gharaibeh’s efforts to strengthen the role of libraries and reading culture, particularly through his collaboration with Yarmouk University and his support for creative writing initiatives aimed at students and young authors.

Poet and writer Hussein Jallad noted that Gharaibeh expanded the horizons of Jordanian narrative literature by exploring the country’s historical, social, and geographical layers, transforming fiction into a means of examining memory, identity, and place.

Throughout his literary career, Gharaibeh has built a distinguished body of work that explores the relationship between people, place, authority, memory, and social transformation. Widely recognized as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Jordanian fiction, his writing has remained closely engaged with the questions and realities shaping Jordanian and Arab societies.

Receiving the honor, Gharaibeh expressed his appreciation to Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation, describing the recognition as a meaningful tribute to creativity and a reaffirmation of the role of writers and intellectuals in enriching cultural life.

The ceremony formed part of the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to celebrate leading Arab cultural figures whose work has made a lasting contribution to literature, thought, and public discourse.