Prix Chinguetti names 2026 laureates
Dr Moustapha ben Hamouch and Professor Oumar ben Ishaq win awards for Islamic studies and arts.
The Conseil du Prix de Chinguetti announced the 2026 winners on Thursday for Islamic studies, science and technology, and letters and arts. The number of candidates increased by 118% compared to the previous edition, with 30 nationalities represented.
Dr Moustapha ben Hamouch received the Islamic studies prize for his book "Les repères de l’urbanisme islamique". The Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Nouakchott won the science and technology award for quantum physics research. Professor Oumar ben Ishaq was awarded the letters and arts prize for his critical edition of "Manar al-Ha’ir fi Tartib al-Nawadir".
The Conseil reviewed reports from specialized scientific committees on October 15 before announcing the results. This year marked the first time five national and foreign scientific institutions applied for the prize.
Why it mattersMauritanian scholars and institutions were recognised for their contributions to Islamic studies, science and technology, and arts.