Dignitaries at the Abu Dhabi Awards opening ceremony held at Emirates Palace. Silvia Razgova / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, right, presents an award to Mark Upton, who received it on behalf of his father Roger Upton. Mr Upton the elder was honoured for his role in helping preserve an essential Bedouin custom. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
From left, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, Adviser to the UAE President, at the Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony at Emirates Palace. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, presenting an award to Masaood Ahmed Al Masaood, who received the award on behalf of his uncle, Abdulla Mohamed Al Masaood, who was honoured for his long-standing service to the Government in the field of foreign service and his tireless charitable efforts. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed seen here with Peter Hellyer, a journalist and historian originally from the UK, was recognised for his contributions as a writer on the fragile ecology and rich archaeological legacy of the UAE. Mr Hellyer is also a regular columnist for The National. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed presents a 2013 Abu Dhabi Award to Dominik Vugrinec, a 14-year-old Croatian student at Al Raha International School. Motivated by a diagnosis of scoliosis two years ago, Dominik led a campaign to screen his fellow students from the medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved. His campaign was adopted by other schools and now hundreds of students have been screened. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
UAE poet Jumaa Al Ghuwais receives the award from Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed. The poems of Mr Al Ghuwais are recited by young and old alike as part of the UAE’s National Day celebrations, and his This is our Country and Zayed’s Home reflect the national pride of the country’s people. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed presenting an award to Khadem Al Romaithi, who received the award on behalf of his late mother, Mouza bint Mroshed Al Subousi who was a beloved member of the community and a respected healer who used traditional herbal remedies to soothe and cure hundreds, free of charge. Described as a true pioneer, Mrs Al Subousi was a role model for women for her generation and those who came after her. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Abu Dhabi Award winner Dr Falih Handhal (left), an Iraqi historian and author. Dr Handhal has co-authored more than 35 books on the history and culture of the UAE and the region. He came to the UAE more than 40 years ago and developed a passion for local dialects and poetry. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, the National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, third right, with last night’s Abu Dhabi Award winners. From left, Mark Upton, who received the award on behalf of his father Roger; Jumaa Al Ghuwais; Khadem Al Romaithi, who received the award on behalf of his late mother, Mouza bint Mroshed Al Subousi; Dominik Vugrinec; Dr Falih Handhal; Peter Hellyer; and Masaood Ahmed Al Masaood, who received the award on behalf of his uncle, Abdulla Mohamed Al Masaood. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, speaks with Musahamati runners-up, Maha Ahmed Al Mufti, Amira Hamed Al Ameri, and Hamdan Abdulla Al Sheikaili, for their project entitled Diabetes Real-time Mobile System, during the award ceremony. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
There were seven winners at the seventh Abu Dhabi Awards who were honoured in a glittering ceremony at Emirates Palace hotel on March 11, 2014. The awards are designed to celebrate compassionate individuals who have selflessly given their time to build and support the community.