The president of the “Dhivehi Bahuge Academy”, Ashraf Ali, has received the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Literary Award.

The award was presented to Ashraf at the South Asian Literature Festival (SALF) currently ongoing in New Delhi, India. The festival is attended by South-Asian writers, literary associations and organizations.

Ashraf was awarded the award in recognition of his contributions to literature which include his written work, as well as his efforts to educate and develop Maldivian literature.

Two others also received the award along with Ashraf.

Ashraf has been the president of the “Dhivehi Bahuge Academy” since it was founded in 2011. He is currently teaching courses related to the Dhivehi language in schools and colleges since attaining his higher education in linguistics.

The SAARC literary award is an annual celebration of contributions made to South-Asian literature. Organized with the objective of developing literature in the South Asian region, the festival also aims to introduce and share literature between member countries. The festival has been ongoing since 1962 and is currently in its 57th year.

The opening ceremony of the festival, which is ongoing from the 18th-20th of October, featured a speech from the literary award winner and president of the “Dhivehi Bahuge Academy”, Ashraf Ali.