DUBAI // An inspirational “hope maker” in the Arab world will be awarded Dh1 million at a ceremony this month in Dubai.
The Arab Hope Makers event in Dubai Studio City on May 18 was announced on Tuesday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
The initiative, launched on March 1, gathered more than 65,000 nominations in the first month alone. The aim is to honour and reward those who have inspired others to social prosperity in various fields, especially those who do so with their own funding or with limited resources.
Nominations revealed the stories of individuals who profoundly improve the lives of others in their communities, organisers said. They also show the dire challenges that many in the Arab world face, as well as the commitment and humanitarian spirit of those who generously give time and effort to overcome these obstacles and spread hope.
Volunteer initiatives were the most common among the nominations, at 29 per cent, followed by youth initiatives at 19.6 per cent, education at 19.1 per cent, health at 9.1 per cent and media at 7.3 per cent. Other sectors comprised the remaining 15.9 per cent.
Twenty-two Arab countries nominated people in their communities, with the most coming from Egypt (22.3 per cent), followed by Saudi Arabia (17 per cent) and the UAE (10.3 per cent).
This year was announced as the Year of Giving by the President, Sheikh Khalifa. Arab Hope Makers is also in line with Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to create optimism and instil values of goodness throughout the region.
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