The National’s Tahira Yaqoob nominated for literary award

Comment editor Tahira Yaqoob is in the running for the Mogford Prize for short fiction

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We have a potential prize winner in our midst.

In addition to presenting readers the insights of some of the world's leading thinkers, The National's comment editor Tahira Yaqoob is an acclaimed writer in her own right.

Her short story, Cafe Beirut, has made the shortlist of the respected international Mogford Prize.

Yaqoob made the final four from over 1,000 entries from 58 countries.

She will be flown to Oxford in the UK for the April 3 award ceremony along with the other three finalists, where the winner will be chosen by a distinguished judging panel comprising of respected British hotelier and award founder Jeremy Mogford, Man Booker Prize-winning author Julian Barnes and acclaimed Financial Times food writer Tim Hayward.

Launched in 2013 by Oxford-based Mogford, the prize focuses on quality short fiction tales on the theme of food and drink.

Yaqoob previously made the shortlist in 2016 and was longlisted last year.

In addition to the 10,000 GBP (about Dh50,000) cash prize, the winning story will be recorded by a professional actor and uploaded on the Story Player website.

It will be also published on the award's website.

“Like almost every writer, I am riddled with self-doubt when it comes to my creative writing so it is a huge shock and an honour to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award,” said Yaqoob.

“It is one of the most generous prizes for writers worldwide and we need every encouragement we can get so it’s thrilling to have this kind of recognition.”

For more details on the prize, visit www.mogfordprize.co.uk