The Arab Hope Makers of 2020 will be announced at a star-studded variety show on February 20 at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
The Dh1million award honours outstanding individuals for humanitarian work in fields from education to healthcare and environment. More than 92,000 participants from 38 countries applied for this year's title. In previous years, other finalists also received Dh1million for their humanitarian projects.
The competition, now in its third edition, has introduced the new category of Arab Humanitarian Cause of the Year. The 2020 Cause of the Year is the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Center in Egypt, which will provide free cardiac care to vulnerable communities.
Money for the centre’s construction will be raised at an all star performance at the Coca-Cola arena featuring Moroccan music producer RedOne, Kuwaiti singer Nawal Al Kuwaitia, Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees Fathi and Palestinian pop star Mohammed Assaf.
Arab actors and comedians, including Kuwaitis Souad Abdullah and Tariq Al Ali and the Syrian actor Qusai Khouli, will join the singers onstage to perform for an audience of 12,000 people.
All proceeds from the concert will go to the Egyptian centre’s construction.
Once open, the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Center aims to treat 80,000 patients annually and conduct 12,000 free heart surgeries, of which 70 per cent will be for children.
Additionally, it will train 1,000 cardiologists and cardiac surgeons through the Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Foundation.
The centre is named for Sir Magdi Yacoub, an Egyptian-British cardiac surgeon who has performed the highest number of transplant operations in the world.
Individual winners of the Arab Hope Maker award will also be recognised at the concert.
“In the UAE, we have unwavering hope and optimism in our ability to make a positive difference in our societies,” said Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in a statement.
He added, “Our goal this year is to give hope to thousands of hearts in need for care.”
The Arab nation is united by shared humanitarian values, said Mohammed Al Gergawi, the secretary general of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
“The initiative’s message is that real change starts with an individual effort,” said. “Arab youth bear the responsibility of fighting despair and effectively contributing to building their societies and shaping the future they strive for.”
The vast majority of applicants come from youth.
“Since its inception three years ago, the Arab Hope Makers initiative has prompted various segments of Arab societies, particularly the youth, to actively take part in addressing major challenges in their societies through humanitarian projects and initiatives that make a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Tickets to the Arab Hope Makers variety show are available at www.ArabHopeMakers.com or www.coca-cola-arena.com
