The winners of this year's awards were announced in a ceremony held on Sunday at Cairo's Tahrir Cultural Centre, which was attended by a slew of writers, actors, and public figures.

"This year, the Sawiris Cultural Award agreed to make an exceptional prize for a book that did not enter any competition," Mohamed Abul Ghar, member of the award's board of trustees, explained to the audience.

The step was taken after writer Mohamed Shoeir, deputy of Akhbar El-Adab magazine, suggested that a prize go to Aboulgheit’s latest book, Abul Ghar said.

The prize, which is worth EPG 150,000, will be given to Aboulgheit’s wife and child.

A physician-turned journalist, Aboulgheit, passed away in London at age 35 on 5 December 2022 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Launched 16 years ago with an endowment from business tycoons Samih and Naguib Sawiris, the Sawiris Cultural Awards has become one of Egypt's most prestigious cultural awards.

Aboulgheit newbook, "I am coming, Light".