Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the return of the Arab Hope Makers initiative on Monday. Reuters
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the return of the Arab Hope Makers initiative on Monday. Reuters
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the return of the Arab Hope Makers initiative on Monday. Reuters
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced the return of the Arab Hope Makers initiative on Monday. Reuters

Sheikh Mohammed announces return of Dh1m Arab Hope Makers award


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  • Arabic

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday announced the return of Arab Hope Makers, a major initiative shining a light on humanitarianism and philanthropy across the region.

Sheikh Mohammed, who established the Arab Hope Makers award in 2017, said the fourth round of the Dh1 million programme would seek to honour those bringing about “positive change in our societies”.

In a message shared on social media, Sheikh Mohammed spoke of the importance of acknowledging the efforts of “thousands of hope makers” aiming to make a difference all over the region and beyond.

“Today marks the launch of the fourth edition of Hope Makers,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on Twitter.

“We extend our search to all segments of society, aiming to celebrate these inspiring individuals, rejoice in their endeavours, and highlight their remarkable accomplishments.

“Anyone who recognises goodness within themselves is encouraged to self-nominate or nominate others through our website.”

He underlined the need to showcase the goodness of humanity against a narrative of “pessimism and negativity” in the region.

“Hope embodies strength, propels change and holds the key to rejuvenation,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote.

“It represents the anticipation of the future, an ongoing act of giving, seizing opportunities, and an infinite wellspring of human kindness.

“We actively seek individuals who embody hope and contribute to its cultivation, in order to honour and showcase their exemplary role in our communities.

“While conversations may often revolve around conflicts, despair, pessimism, and negativity in our region, we prioritise discussions on hope, acts of kindness, and positive transformations within our societies. Countless hope instigators can be found in every city and village.”

Charitable endeavours rewarded

  • Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Winner Ahmed Al Falasi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Nawal Al Kuwaitia performs at the Arab Hope Makers initiativei. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Nawal Al Kuwaitia performs at the Arab Hope Makers initiativei. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Winner Ahmed Al Falasi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Winner Ahmed Al Falasi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Nominee 64-year-old Libyan-American Mohamed Bzeek, a former engineer who was now a full-time caregiver to terminally-ill children. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Nominee 64-year-old Libyan-American Mohamed Bzeek, a former engineer who was now a full-time caregiver to terminally-ill children. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Amr Adeeb with Hussain Sajwani representing DAMAC Foundation at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Amr Adeeb with Hussain Sajwani representing DAMAC Foundation at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ahmed Helmy Egyptian actor speaks at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ahmed Helmy Egyptian actor speaks at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Tariq Al Ali performs at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tariq Al Ali performs at the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid arrives at the Arab Hope Makers initiative at the Coca Cola Arena. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid arrives at the Arab Hope Makers initiative at the Coca Cola Arena. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People watch the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People watch the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People watch the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People watch the Arab Hope Makers initiative. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Emirati man who helped transform a hospital in Kenya into one of the most advanced facilities in the country was named the winner of the most recent Arab Hope Makers award in 2020.

Sheikh Mohammed presented Ahmed Al Falasi with the Dh1 million award after he was chosen from a list of five people shortlisted for their humanitarian work in education, health care and the environment.

Mr Al Falasi was chosen by popular vote from all who attended the event but Sheikh Mohammed also gave the four other contenders Dh1 million each in prize money.

More than 92,000 participants from 38 countries applied for the 2020 programme, with the final ceremony held at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

People can apply for this year's award by visiting https://arabhopemakers.com/

Trump v Khan

2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US

2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks

2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”

2022:  Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency

July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”

Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.

Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

SPECS
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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Profile of RentSher

Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE

Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi

Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE

Sector: Online rental marketplace

Size: 40 employees

Investment: $2 million

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENever%20click%20on%20links%20provided%20via%20app%20or%20SMS%2C%20even%20if%20they%20seem%20to%20come%20from%20authorised%20senders%20at%20first%20glance%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAlways%20double-check%20the%20authenticity%20of%20websites%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEnable%20Two-Factor%20Authentication%20(2FA)%20for%20all%20your%20working%20and%20personal%20services%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOnly%20use%20official%20links%20published%20by%20the%20respective%20entity%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDouble-check%20the%20web%20addresses%20to%20reduce%20exposure%20to%20fake%20sites%20created%20with%20domain%20names%20containing%20spelling%20errors%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: June 12, 2023, 2:18 PM