Sheikh Hamdan crowns Arab Hope Makers winners at glittering Dubai ceremony, honours 3 with Dh1 million each

Moroccan woman aiding 19,000 children leads Dh1m Arab Hope Makers winners

Last updated: February 15, 2026 | 18:44

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Sheikh Hamdan with the winners

WAM

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, crowned the winners of the Arab Hope Makers initiative at a glittering ceremony in Dubai, honouring humanitarian champions whose work has transformed lives across the Arab world and beyond.

Moroccan humanitarian Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi, Senior Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at Operation Smile, was named the leading winner and awarded Dh1 million in recognition of her efforts to help more than 19,000 children receive life-changing cleft surgeries.

Sheikh Hamdan honoured the two other finalists also as winners and ordered that they receive the same Dh1 million prize.

Kuwaiti humanitarian Hind Al Hajeri was recognised for establishing Bait Fatima (Fatima House), a residential institution dedicated to the care of orphans in Zanzibar, Tanzania, while Moroccan content creator and social media influencer Abderrahmane Rais was honoured for charitable initiatives supporting widows in clearing their debts.

The awardees were honoured at a glittering ceremony attended by dignitaries, philanthropists and social impact leaders from across the region, underscoring the UAE’s continued leadership in humanitarian work.

Launched under the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Hope Makers initiative celebrates individuals who dedicate their lives to humanitarian service, social development and improving the wellbeing of communities.

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Sajila SaseendranChief Reporter

Sajila is a powerhouse in UAE journalism, with over two decades of impactful reporting that has informed, empowered, and transformed lives. She is widely recognised as one of the most trusted voices on local affairs, particularly within the Indian expat community. From exposing scams and reuniting families to shifting policies and freeing jailed workers, Sajila’s stories often make front pages and a real-world difference. Once the only female crime reporter in Bangalore, India, she brought her razor-sharp news instincts to the UAE, covering everything from civic matters, health, education, and environment to stories that matter to both expats and Emiratis alike. She has covered the launch of iconic projects in Dubai and milestone national moments—from COP28, Expo 2020 Dubai, Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits, multiple visa amnesties and landmark space missions to plane crashes, tragic fires, accidents and COVID-19 crises. She broke the news of Indian actress Sridevi’s accidental drowning and did a literally out-of-the-world interview with UAE astronaut Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, who went on to become a minister, live from the International Space Station. Her storytelling blends deep editorial insight with compelling human interest, backed by an extensive network across officials and communities alike. Recognised with numerous journalism awards, Sajila doesn’t just report stories; she helps write the history of the UAE.

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Sheikh Hamdan crowns Arab Hope Makers winners at glittering Dubai ceremony, honours 3 with Dh1 million each

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