On December 9, 2025, in Doha, Qatar, the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Prishtina’s Faculty of Philology received the prestigious “Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding.” This award honors individuals and institutions for their work in translating from Arabic into other languages.

At the award’s 11th ceremony, the jury recognized the 53 years of work and contribution by the Department’s professors in translating literary and cultural works from Arabic into Albanian.

The award this year was presented not only to the Department as a whole but also to two of its retired professors: Prof. Feti Mehdiu and Prof. Muhamed Mufaku. Another professor from the Department, Prof. Isa Memishi, previously won the same award in 2017 for his Arabic-Albanian Dictionary.

The award ceremony was attended by senior Qatari state officials and ministers, members of the diplomatic corps in Doha, as well as writers, translators, and researchers.

The “Sheikh Hamad Award for Translation and International Understanding” aims to broaden cultural exchange, promote dialogue between Arabic and other world languages, strengthen links with academic and cultural institutions, and foster cooperation in translation, Arabic language teaching, and preserving our shared cultural and human heritage.

In February 2025, senior officials from the foundation that presents this award visited the University of Prishtina.