UAE Prime Minister Names Morocco's Ahmed Zainoun Arab Hope Maker
Rabat – The Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has named Moroccan Ahmed Zainoun the top Arab Hope Maker.
Zainoun was crowned during a grand ceremony on Sunday at the fifth edition of the Hope Makers initiative in Dubai. He also received a prize money of AED1 million ($272,000), according to the Emirates News Agency.
The award honors people who make a positive difference in people's lives. Zainoun received the highest number of votes during the closing ceremony for his foundation 'Moon Voice,' that helps children with the genetic disorder Xeroderma Pigmentosum, commonly referred to as 'Children of the Moon.'
Zainoun took to his social media to celebrate the recognition, saying that it is the culmination of years of 'work, effort, and struggle to create hope for children who have lost hope in life.'
The other two finalists, Samar Nadeem from Egypt and Khadija Al-Qorti from Morocco, also received a prize money of AED1 million each.
Speaking at the award ceremony, Al Maktoum described hope makers as 'inspiring role models' who transform lives without seeking recognition.
'Hope Makers embody the true meaning of selfless giving, working tirelessly behind the scenes … leaving an enduring legacy of humanitarianism,' the ruler of Dubai added, as reported by local media
He added that the Arab world is 'rich' in such examples of hope makers that display 'kindness and service,' noting the importance of recognizing their efforts and encouraging such initiatives.
The fifth edition of the Hope Makers initiative received over 26,000 entries within only a month, bringing the number of participants throughout all editions to 320,000.
'Since its inception in 2017, Hope Makers has become a landmark initiative in the Arab world's humanitarian landscape. It inspires positive competition, motivating individuals to serve their communities and develop innovative projects that address the needs of thousands,' said Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. Tags: hope makermoon childrenMoroccoUAE
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