German Philosopher Jurgen Habermas Rejects UAE Literature Award

German philosopher Juergen Habermas. (Wikimedia Commons / Dianepl-hcs21)

JAKARTA - German philosopher Jurgen Habermas announced his rejection of the literary award presented by the United Arab Emirates (UEA), Sunday, May 2, after receiving reactions from the German media.

The denial is based on human rights concerns in the Gulf state. In fact, previously he received an award called the Sheikh Zayed Book Award's Cultural Personality Award's.

"I announce that I will receive the Sheikh Zayed Book Award this year. It was a wrong decision, which I am correcting with this," he said in a statement shared with news website Spiegel Online.

"I can't quite explain to myself the very close relationship the institution, which gave this award in Abu Dhabi, to the political system that is there," he added.

Following the German philosopher's decision, the award issued a statement Monday morning on its website.

"The Sheikh Zayed Book Award Committee expresses regret, for Mr. Jurgen Habermas' decision to withdraw his acceptance of the award but respects it. The award embodies the values of tolerance, knowledge and creativity while building bridges between cultures and will continue to fulfill this mission," said the committee.

To note, Habermas was awarded due to his track record of career over the past five decades as a pioneer of critical theory, promoting a rational society built on dialogue and mutual understanding, as well as studies and publications in scientific disciplines including cultural studies, moral theory, linguistics, literary theory and political science.

"Rarely do we find a prominent figure in the philosophical, cultural and intellectual fields like Jurgen Habermas," said Ali bin Tamim, secretary general of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, launching The National.

Initially, Jurgen Habermas will receive a literary award at a ceremony that will be held virtually at the 'Abu Dhabi International Book Fair', United Arab Emirates including a cash prize of 204,220 US dollars.