Latest news with #MayChidiacFoundation
Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Mina Al-Oraibi Receives May Chidiac Foundation Excellence in Media Award 2025 - Middle East Business News and Information
The National's Editor-in-Chief Awarded at the 13 th Annual May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) Media Awards held last night in Dubai. Mina Al-Oraibi recognised for exemplifying exceptional leadership and journalistic excellence and her commitment to in-depth reporting, integrity, and insightful coverage of regional and global issues. Dubai, UAE: Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National, an IMI company and the leading English-language news outlet from the Middle East, has been awarded the Excellence in Media Award at the Annual May Chidiac Foundation Media Awards held last night in Dubai. Throughout her distinguished career, Mina has and continues to play a pivotal role in elevating news coverage regionally and internationally, conducting exclusive interviews with prominent global figures and consistently upholding the highest standards of professional journalism. Al-Oraibi has been recognised for a career spanning more than two decades, marked by exceptional achievements and leadership in journalism. Each year, the May Chidiac Foundation honours outstanding media professionals who have significantly influenced the industry at the international, regional, and local levels, while contributing to peacebuilding and social change. Al-Oraibi received the award during a ceremony attended by ambassadors, senior officials, political figures, media leaders, artists, and business personalities. Rani R. Raad, CEO of IMI, said: 'We are proud to see Mina Al-Oraibi recognised with this prestigious award, which honours her outstanding leadership, journalistic excellence, and lasting impact on the media industry. Mina's dedication to high-quality, responsible journalism has strengthened The National's influence regionally and globally, while also advancing regional journalism and enhancing the quality of English-language news coverage across the Middle East. Her achievements continue to set the standard for excellence across our profession, and we are proud to have her among IMI's leadership.' On receiving the Excellence in Media Award, Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief of The National, said: 'It is an honour to receive this award from the May Chidiac Foundation, an institution that champions principles we hold dear: integrity, courage and a commitment to journalism. Throughout my career, I have been driven by the belief that journalism can be a force for positive change. This recognition is a tribute to The National and the opportunities IMI has given me and my team.' A Career of Excellence and Impact: Mina Al-Oraibi is one of the most prominent figures in the regional and international media landscape. She has served as Editor-in-Chief of The National since 2017, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her career spans more than twenty years, including senior roles such as Assistant Editor-in-Chief at Asharq Al-Awsat and Head of its Washington Bureau. Throughout her career, Al-Oraibi has conducted exclusive interviews with world leaders, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among many others—cementing her stature as a leading journalist. Beyond journalism, she has also served as a research fellow at the Institute for State Effectiveness and as an international fellow at Yale University, where she focused on governance and institutional reform in the Middle East. Rooted in Global Experience, Dedicated to Regional Impact: Born in Sweden to a proud Iraqi family during the Iraq-Iran war, Mina's life was shaped by seismic political events, including the invasion of Kuwait and the 2003 Iraq war. Raised in Saudi Arabia and later in the United Kingdom following her family's exile, she pursued Modern History at University College London (UCL), earning both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Starting as an intern at Al Hayat newspaper in London, Al-Oraibi quickly rose through the ranks, covering the corridors of power in London and Washington, and reporting from frontline humanitarian crises, such as the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar. At just 28 years old, she became the youngest and first female Washington, DC Bureau Chief for Asharq Al-Awsat, covering the Obama White House and major global developments. In 2017, she assumed leadership of The National, relaunching it under IMI ownership and transforming it into a leading, award-winning digital-first platform. Al-Oraibi continues to report on major global events, from the devastation at Rafah Crossing to the high-level gatherings at Davos. She has long been one of the few Arab women reporting from major international events and is committed to paving the way for future generations of journalists. Under her leadership, The National has prioritised building a diverse, dynamic newsroom. Beyond journalism, Al-Oraibi serves on the Board of Trustees of the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, and actively promotes cross-cultural dialogue through advisory roles and international forums. She has been named a Yale World Fellow and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. About: The National, an IMI company, was founded in 2008, setting a new standard for quality journalism in the Middle East. Each day The National reaches an influential, English-speaking audience from our headquarters in Abu Dhabi to deliver the latest in news, business, arts, culture, lifestyle and sports, while leading the region in analytical content and commentary. The National is committed to serving the local UAE community while delivering a strong international perspective to a growing audience beyond. With bureaux in Beirut, Cairo, London and Washington, and correspondents in key cities in the Mena region and worldwide, The National has developed a reputation for providing in-depth coverage and a window into the region. The National has been extensively awarded for its design, reporting, photography and video work. Publishing across all digital platforms – reaching millions of readers, listeners and viewers each month – The National harnesses the latest multimedia tools while continuing to produce a print edition five days a week, distributed in the UAE. The National was originally launched as part of Abu Dhabi Media, before being acquired by International Media Investments and relaunched in 2017. The National is the destination to understand the Middle East at a time when the region has never been more important. About IMI: IMI is a privately-owned, leading global media conglomerate headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with operations across 15 countries. Established to enrich lives and connect communities through innovative storytelling, IMI oversees an extensive portfolio of prestigious media brands including The National, Sky News Arabia, Al-Ain News, CNN Business Arabic, and Euronews. Committed to digital innovation and journalistic excellence, IMI operates state-of-the-art facilities, including the IMI Media Academy at IMI HQ in twofour54's Yas Creative Hub, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of media professionals. IMI continues to set industry standards, driving impactful content creation and engagement across diverse audiences worldwide. IMI's investment arm, RedBird IMI—a joint venture with RedBird Capital Partners—focuses on global investments in media, entertainment, and sports. Some of Redbird IMI's most prominent investments include All3Media, Media Res Studio, EverWonder Studio, Hidden Pigeon Company, Front Office Sports, and UFL.
Arab News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Asharq News' Nabeel Alkhatib receives lifetime achievement honor at May Chidiac Foundation Media Awards
DUBAI: Renowned Palestinian broadcast journalist and entrepreneur, Dr. Nabeel Alkhatib, has received a major honor at the May Chidiac Foundation Media Awards. Alkhatib, general manager of Asharq News, received the Antoine Choueiri's Special Tribute for Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony held in Dubai's Al-Habtoor City on Wednesday. Ali Jaber, chief content officer of MBC and Shahid, took the MCF Special Recognition for Pioneering Leadership in the Media Industry Award. Sarah Dundarawy, a Saudi Arabia journalist and presenter at Al Arabiya, received the Outstanding Media Performance award. In its third edition in Dubai, the MCF recognized the work of distinguished Arab and international media figures. Mina Al-Oraibi, editor-in-chief of The National, took the Excellence in Media Award. The Exceptional Courage in Journalism Award for Life Sacrifices went to the late Marie Colvin, an American war correspondent for the Sunday Times, who was killed while covering the siege of Homs in Syria in 2012. Pascale Bourgaux, a war reporter, author and filmmaker, received the Engaged Journalist Award. The Vision in Content Development Award went to the Dubai-based BLINX, the first digital-native storytelling hub in the Middle East and North Africa. Founded by journalist and former Lebanese Minister for Administrative Development May Chidiac, the foundation is a nonprofit organization. It is dedicated to research and development in various media fields, including international affairs, women's rights, democracy and social welfare. It is also aimed at establishing Lebanon as a proactive player in the Middle East and global economy.
Jordan Times
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Jordan took 'major' steps toward women's empowerment
Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Sunday says the Kingdom achieved great strides in developing an appropriate environment to support the role of women and empower them in all areas of life (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Sunday said the Kingdom achieved great strides in developing an appropriate environment to support the role of women and empower them in all areas of life. The minister, who was deputising for Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, was speaking at the seventh edition of the "Women On the Front Lines (WOFL) – Middle East and North Africa Region – Jordan" conference. 'The conference that carries many indications, including that the presence of women in decision-making positions and at the forefront of development and progress, places us before two matters: recognising the effective role of women in assuming leadership, and the necessity of providing the appropriate environment to make their role more effective,' the minister told the gathering. Bani Mustafa also stressed that Jordan is one of the first countries to fulfil its international obligations to ensure that human rights are respected on its territory under the guidance and leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah. 'Jordan ratified many treaties related to female's rights, which has enhanced the Kingdom's efforts in the field of women's participation in decision-making positions,' the minister added. The event, which was held at the Fairmont Hotel was organised by the May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) in Amman. The conference aims to support and empower women to achieve lasting accomplishments that benefit society in all its aspects. Also speaking during the event was former minister of state for administrative reforms in Lebanon and President and Founder of the MCF Foundation May Chidiac who commended Jordan's efforts in promoting women's roles and empowering them in various fields. Chidiac also expressed her gratitude to King Abdullah for his 'continued support of initiatives that elevate the status of women and help develop their potential, as well as to Her Majesty Queen Rania, who has been at the forefront of supporting the WOFL Jordan conference since its first edition in 2016'. Turning to women who are facing the toughest challenges of war, Chidiac said that 'women are not only an integral part of society but also the heartbeat that sustains it and the driving force that transforms it'. 'Women are accomplished, self-assured, and inspire global pride, embodying a mirror of society itself. Yet, despite all their vitality, women's rights remain a contentious issue and a fundamental cause, sparking discussions to affirm their rightful entitlement,' Chidiac stressed. Chidiac also pointed out that the conference will focus on initiatives that underscore the critical importance of communities' efforts to secure women's rights, stressing that when we pursue the right path, regardless of how long the journey may be, justice will ultimately prevail, and destinies will be reshaped. Meanwhile, Executive Board Member of the MCF Foundation and Chairwoman of the conference Maha Shair said the goal of the conference is to ensure that the voices of all women are heard and their authentic selves are recognized. 'A woman's voice is her strength, and when women unite, they possess the power to ignite change that reverberates far beyond walls,' Shair told the gathering. She also emphasised the crucial role of Jordanian women in achieving gender equality, highlighting their proven ability to make significant contributions to development, promote education and culture, and achieve notable successes across various fields.
