Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has received the Dubai International Holy Quran Award as Islamic Personality of the Year.
The 15th award was presented yesterday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It was given to Sheikh Khalifa in recognition of his efforts in the service to Islam, Muslims and humanity.
The Islamic Personality is nominated on the merits of their writings and contributions to the Islamic cause.
Sheikh Khalifa expressed gratitude for the award and highlighted its importance, saying it reflected the Islamic values of moderation, patience, peace and brotherhood.
The president has ordered significant humanitarian contributions in the country and worldwide, including the recent dispatch of 20 tonnes of food by the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to refugee camps in Somalia.
This was part of a series of directives by Sheikh Khalifa to send immediate aid to the drought-stricken country. It included a mobile clinic to treat patients facing health problems resulting from malnutrition and the spread of diseases, and two humanitarian aid teams to provide emergency relief.
In Ramadan the foundation helped fund the distribution of iftar meals in about 80 countries.
The UAE also sent aircraft loaded with aid to Libya on the instructions of Sheikh Khalifa. It included medical supplies and food for victims of the turmoil. In April, a convoy carrying 735 tonnes, including six ambulances, was dispatched.
Previous winners of the award include Sheikh Zayed, the late president of the UAE, and the former Sudanese president Abdul Rahman Swar Al Dhahab, who was honoured last year.
