Plus, the announcement of a Dhs50 million academy.
The UAE is a country with a strong focus on humanitarian aid, so it makes sense that HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum would want to recognise those who work to help those around them.
Monday night saw the second edition of Sheikh Mohammed’s Arab Hope Makers awards, with five finalists each awarded Dhs1 million for their good works.
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The awards aim to encourage and recognise humanitarian work in the Arab world, and this year they attracted 87,000 entries, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE wrote on Instagram.
Mahmoud Wahid, from Egypt, won the top prize for his work with elderly homeless people.
HH Sheikh Mohammed also recognised Fares Ali from Sudan for helping students who missed school due to famine, Nawal Mustafa of Egypt who works with female inmates, Manal Al Masallam, from Kuwait, who has established a voluntary organisation to help Syrian refugees, and Iraqi Siham Gerges who works with refugees in her home country.
Humanitarian work is a crucial part of the future of the Arab world, HH Sheikh Mohammed said.
“There is no driving force better than hope to drive communities for the better,” he wrote on Instagram. “We want to create hope to millions of Arab youth by encouraging them to have a vital role in building their communities.”
To that end, HH Sheikh Mohammed announced the formation of the Arab Hope Makers Academy.
Funded to the tune of Dhs50 million, the academy will support philanthropy projects in the region.
“We invest in hope making because it is the most profitable investment for the future of the Arab world,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Very well said, if you ask us.
Images: HH Sheikh Mohammed/Instagram, Dubai Media Office
