Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan received the Shaikh Rashid Award for the Humanitarian Personality (2010-2011) at a ceremony at Diyafa Palace in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Shaikh Khalifa was nominated in May for the award by a group of Arab, Islamic and international humanitarian and charity organisations, centres and cities which view him as a role model who is worthy of being emulated in terms of philanthropy for humanity.
The award was conferred upon Shaikh Khalifa at a ceremony held in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, crown princes and deputy rulers, ministers and senior officials.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, who heads the Supreme Committee of the award, presented the award at the ceremony.
Once in two years
The Shaikh Rashid Award is bestowed every two years on prominent personalities. Many eminent people from the region and around the world have received it in the last 11 years.
These personalities have played prominent roles specifically in charitable work, and generally in humanitarian development.
Shaikh Khalifa thanked the award's Supreme Committee for naming him for this year's award.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Bin Jumaa Al Maktoum, Board Member of the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, said tales of generosity by Shaikh Khalifa are countless and are evident throughout the Arab and Muslim countries.
Ahmad Bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, Board Member of the Rashid Paediatric Centre, also congratulated the UAE's people on the President's winning of the award.
Ahmad Hashim Khoury, founder of the centre, said that the award has become one of the most prestigious honours in the Arab and Muslim world, adding that the Shaikh Rashid Award is proud that Shaikh Khalifa won the award on the day Emiratis are celebrating the UAE's 40th National Day.
The day will remain a memorable one as the UAE President is honoured, Mariam Othman, Director-General of the centre and Deputy Chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Award, said, adding that Shaikh Khalifa deserves the award.
