Dh1 million Arab Hope Makers winner to be announced this month

Award ceremony will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena on February 23

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has announced that the winner of the Arab Hope Makers will be revealed on 23 February. @HHShkMohd / X

The winner of a major UAE award championing humanitarianism and philanthropy across the region will be announced on February 23 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

Arab Hope Makers was established in 2017 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. It attracted more than 300,000 nominations during its first four events.

The award was launched to celebrate people engaged in projects that improve and uplift society.

Sheikh Mohammed said the fifth Hope Makers received more than 26,000 stories from young men and women.

"Hope is the bridge that connects the reality we live in and the future we desire. We must contribute to building bridges for millions of young people so that they are not overcome by despair and hopelessness," said Sheikh Mohammed on social media.

In December, the Dubai Ruler encouraged people to nominate themselves or others on the Arab Hope Makers website.

At the end of last year, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, spoke of the importance of the award in showing charitable endeavours all over the region.

"This initiative is a realistic call to combat despair and negativity by focusing on the positive within our Arab communities," Mr Al Gergawi said.

The winning Hope Maker will receive a Dh1m prize in recognition of their humanitarian contributions and to support the development of their projects.

Arab Hope Makers in pictures

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, with the four Arab Hope Makers winners, at the award ceremony in Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National

Sheikh Mohammed with the four winners, from left, Mohamed Al Najjar from Iraq, Fathiya Al Mahmoud from Egypt, Moroccan YouTuber Amine Imnir, and Tala Al Khalil from Iraq,

Emirati musician Hussain Al Jassmi performs at the Arab Hope Makers ceremony, at the Coca Cola Arena

Youtuber Amine Imnir, whose social media account ‘Faysboki’ strives to improve living conditions for underprivileged Moroccans, was one of the winners

Iraqi Mohamed Al Najjar, one of this year's winners, did not let losing his leg limit his ambitions

Egyptian Fathiya Al Mahmoud, known as ‘the mother of orphans', was another winner

Iraqi pharmacist Tala Al Khalil, another of the four winners, has been helping children living with cancer

Singer Humood performs

Singer Humood performs

Al Jassmi and fellow Emirati singer Ahlam share the stage

Influencer, author and researcher Dr Khaled Ghattas takes to the stage