Abdullah's work recognised

Dubai: Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, was conferred the Personality of the Year award at the Al Mahabba Awards ceremony on Thursday.

He was awarded for his services in setting up the Al Borda Award, which honours works by poets who praise the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Al Mahabba Awards were set up to reaffirm the message of peace and love as urged by the Prophet, said organisers.

Two American producers, Michael Wolf and Alex Kronimer, were also among the winners this year for their documentary, Mohammad: Legacy of the Prophet. It highlights the role of the Prophet in everyday lives of Muslims in both East and West.

The award ceremony was held at Grand Hyatt Hotel and attended by leading Islamic personalities.

"I decided to establish the (Al Borda) award as there is nothing more blissful than honouring our Prophet," said Shaikh Abdullah. He hoped that it would bring Muslims closer to their religion.

Poetry praising the Prophet was earlier restricted to the intellectual elite. By initiating the award, Shaikh Abdullah has broadened its appeal, said organisers.

"This is the best means to convey Islam's message of love and peace to the world," said Dr Abdullah Bin Beiyh, Vice-President of the International Muslim Federation.

"The ceremony reflected the desire of the participants to articulate their love for our Prophet in a way that is appropriate for the world today," said Wajdi Al Arabi, Al Mahabba (Art of Love) spokesperson.

Other award categories were given for music, documentaries, books for teen-agers, photography and drawings which artistically express love for the Prophet.

Among the award winners was the late Mustafa Al Akkad, director of the movie Al Risala.

The award was accepted by his son Malek Al Akkad. Syrian scholor Shaikh Mohammad Saeed Ramadan Al Boutti won for his book Fokeh Al Seera.

The event sponsors include Al Dar, Al Qudra and Surah in the UAE and Samco and Hafel in Saudi Arabia.