APYA 2026 Finalists to Be Announced on 14 November Following Completion of Judging

Al Arab in UK has confirmed that the finalists for the Arab Personality of the Year Award (APYA) 2026 will be announced on Saturday 14 November, following the completion of assessments by the award’s independent judging panel.

This year, the award received 575 nominations from across Britain. After duplicate nominations were consolidated, 157 individuals remained in contention across four categories: Social Impact & Public Service; Culture, Arts & Sport; Science, Research, Health & Scientific Advancement; and Youth Initiatives & Achievements.

How Were the APYA 2026 Nominees Assessed?

Each nominee was invited to submit a detailed account of their work, achievements and impact. Completed submissions were then reviewed by an independent panel of seven judges representing law, academia, media, public service and community work.

Over recent weeks, the judges have assessed each submission and scored nominees individually against the published criteria for their respective categories.

These criteria vary by category but include contributions to the Arab community in Britain, influence beyond the community, sustainability and long-term impact, leadership, inspiration and innovation.

Each criterion carries a specific weighting, while judges assess nominees independently, without access to one another’s scores.

All seven judges have now completed their assessments, with their combined scores determining the finalists in each category.

What Happens After the APYA 2026 Finalists Are Announced?

Following the announcement of the finalists on 14 November, the award will move to the public voting stage, allowing members of the public to support their preferred candidates online.

The final results will be determined through a combination of the judges’ assessments, which account for 60 per cent of the overall score, and the public vote, which carries the remaining 40 per cent.

The winners will be honoured at the Fourth Annual Gathering of Al Arab in UK, celebrating the achievements and contributions of Arab individuals across Britain.

Further information is available on the official APYA website, including the award categories and judging criteria and the independent judging panel.