Abu Dhabi: Nine extraordinary individuals were honoured on Monday for their contribution in building and supporting the community in Abu Dhabi.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, gave away the Abu Dhabi Awards 2018 at a ceremony in the capital.
This year, the awards joined the nation in commemorating 2018 as the Year of Zayed in recognition and gratitude of the legacy, values and principles of the nation’s Founding Father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who set a global benchmark of humanitarian philanthropy. In a ceremony held at Al Bahr Palace, Shaikh Mohammad honoured the award recipients and personally congratulated them for inspiring selfless generosity and kindness, presenting them with the Abu Dhabi Awards trophy and medal.
During the ceremony, broadcast on Abu Dhabi TV, recipients and their families were joined by senior representatives from government bodies and the local community from across Abu Dhabi. The ceremony also presented video biographies, showcasing the recipients’ good deeds within the community.
“We meet here today to not only celebrate the achievements of these selfless individuals but also to inspire the nation to continue on this humanitarian path. It is with immense pleasure that I, once again, congratulate these truly extraordinary individuals who have lifted our spirits and strengthened the spirit of our national union as set out by the Founding Father of the UAE, the late Shaikh Zayed,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
“With their ambitious vision, optimism, love for people and abiding patriotism, these individuals have not only garnered the respect of the nation, but also of those they have touched through their kindness and compassion. I am sure these individuals will continue to build on Shaikh Zayed’s vision and legacy as we strive to create a world of coexistence and peace,” he added.
The recipients of the Abu Dhabi Awards 2018 are Shaikh Mubarak Bin Qarran Al Mansouri, Farah Hashem Al Qaissieh, Dr George Mathew, Ebrahim Abdul Rahman Al Abed, Dr Jayanti Maitra, Ali Bin Manea Al Ahbabi, Fatima Ali Al Kaabi, Theban Salem Al Muhairi, and the late Dr Azzam Al Zoebie. This year’s nine recipients were recognised for a wide range of achievements across sports, national innovation, community initiatives, media development, medical research, educational training and development, and historical research to preserve and promote the culture of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
The ceremony was attended by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, and other dignitaries and ministers.
As the emirate’s highest civilian honour, the Abu Dhabi Awards were established in 2005 through the commitment of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to preserve the legacy of Shaikh Zayed, by inspiring selfless generosity and compassion.
The Abu Dhabi Awards are a biennial celebration that honours and recognises individuals who have contributed in building a greater sense of community and social welfare within the Abu Dhabi, with more than 100,000 nominations representing 135 nationalities received to date. The public is encouraged to nominate people who have contributed to building and supporting a community — regardless of age, nationality or gender — including Abu Dhabi citizens, residents and non-residents whose good deeds have benefited the emirate, as well as Abu Dhabi citizens performing good deeds internationally.
