The chance has arrived to honour the unsung heroes of the UAE community.
The Abu Dhabi Awards — a Government initiative to pay tribute to those who have made a difference — are now accepting nominations, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.
They recognise contributions from anyone dedicated to improving UAE society, regardless of their age, gender, nationality or residence. The nomination period runs from today until June 16.
"We are delighted to announce the start of the 11th edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards, and we are looking forward to receiving nominations and reading the array of inspiring stories and examples of giving by selfless community members from across the UAE," said Hanaa Al Ameri, from the Abu Dhabi Awards organising committee.
Since their inauguration in 2005, the awards have recognised 92 unsung heroes from 16 nationalities. The theme of this year's event is 'who represents goodness to you?' and organisers have planned a series of community-driven events to drum up interest.
Previous winners include Emirati Lt Gen (Retired) Obaid Mohammed Al Kaabi; Lulu chairman, Yusuff Ali; photographer Alain St Hilaire; and Abu Dhabi's former town planner, Abdulrahman Makhlouf.
"Previous award recipients have made valuable community contributions in numerous fields, including but not limited to: health care, education, environment, social welfare, community services, sport and volunteer work," said Ms Al Ameri. "And these recipients were selected based on the merit of their deeds, not by the number of nominations they received."
The 2021 ceremony - in pictures
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A general view of the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn in 2021. All photos: Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed, while Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Dr Fatima Al Rifai who was recognised for her role in developing nursing in the UAE. -
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and other dignitaries attend the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. -
President Sheikh Mohamed, while Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Mohammed Al Murr, chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation and former Speaker of the Federal National Council. -
A general view of the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. -
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attend the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. -
Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in Al Ain region, attend the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Zafaranaa Ahmed Khamis, volunteer with the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination. -
Maryam Eid Al Mheiri, chief executive of the Media Zone Authority and TwoFour54, attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, attend the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Hussain Khansaheb, whose family has pioneered construction in the UAE for decades. -
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Lt Gen (Retired) Obaid Mohammed Al Kaabi (second right) and family members attend the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. Lt Gen Al Kaabi received an award for his role in the establishment of the Armed Forces. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Ghubaisha Al Ketbi for her volunteering and humanitarian work during a ceremony at Qasr Al Hosn. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Yusuf Ali Musaliam Veettil, chairman and managing director of Lulu Group International, at Qasr Al Hosn. -
Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed, Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy National Security Adviser, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
A general view of the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Ali Mohammed Al Ketbi, who received the award on behalf of his father, the late Mohammed Al Ketbi. -
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in Al Ain region, attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Dr Essam El Shammaa, a pioneer in medical imaging. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Faraj bin Hamoodah. -
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, attends the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony. -
Sheikh Mohamed presents an Abu Dhabi Award to Lt Gen (Retired) Obaid Mohammed Al Kaabi who was recognised for his service to the Armed Forces and his leading role in the development of Al Ain community.
People are being encouraged to nominate their unsung heroes to celebrate the spirit of selflessness and giving in the UAE, while commemorating the legacy of the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The last award ceremony was held in 2021. Nominations for this opened in 2019, but plans were put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nominations can be submitted visiting the Abu Dhabi Awards website www.abudhabiawards.ae. Organisers will reveal more about when the next ceremony will be in due course.
