<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The board of trustees of a high-priced literary award from the United Arab Emirates expressed regret on Monday that prominent German philosopher Juergen Habermas had turned down the prize, reversing his earlier decision. </p>
<p>The 91-year-old German, considered his country’s most eminent contemporary philosopher, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-middle-east-entertainment-government-and-politics-arts-and-entertainment-1fe05291c8fd37bb106d6ee8423182cf">announced earlier this week</a> that he would not accept the Sheikh Zayed Book Award over its ties “with the existing political system” in the UAE, a hereditarily ruled country long criticized for its suppression of dissent. While describing itself as an “independent” initiative, the prize is administered by Abu Dhabi culture and tourism authorities. </p>
<p>Habermas’ influential writings on human rights, morality and democracy, among other topics, have stirred debate in Germany and beyond. </p>
<p>On its website, the board of the literary award, among the most well-funded in the region, said it "expresses regret" for Habermas’ decision "but respects it." </p>
<p>The prize, it added, “embodies the values of tolerance, knowledge and creativity while building bridges between cultures, and will continue to fulfill this mission."</p>
<p>The award had named Habermas the Cultural Personality of the Year, a distinction that carries a cash prize of 1 million dirhams (over $272,000). Winners of other categories receive 750,000 UAE dirhams ($204,200) each.</p>
<p>The award is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE when the federation of seven sheikhdoms became a country in 1971.</p>
