UAE President Honors 10 Prominent Figures with 'Abu Dhabi Award' on 20th Anniversary

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, honored ten individuals with the Abu Dhabi Award in its 12th edition at a ceremony held at Qasr Al Hosn. The award recognizes people whose charitable initiatives have made a positive impact on UAE society, coinciding with the "Year of Community 2025."

The ceremony highlighted inspiring stories that reinforce the culture of giving and solidarity. As Sheikh Mohammed noted during the 20th anniversary of the award's launch, "We celebrate the makers of good and hope, and express our appreciation for everyone who plants the values of goodness and contributes to strengthening the spirit of cooperation."

Since 2005, the Abu Dhabi Award has recognized 110 individuals from 18 different nationalities. Their contributions span healthcare, volunteer work, education, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and empowering people of determination. The award continues the vision of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

This year's recipients represent diverse fields and backgrounds, from traditional healers to diplomats, educators to business leaders. Here's who made the list:

Obaid Kanish Al Hameli pioneered charitable and community work in the UAE. Despite losing his parents at a young age, he worked as a field guide for oil exploration teams in the Dhafra region during the 1960s. He encouraged education among Dhafra residents and launched the "Obaid bin Kanish Al Hameli Award for Educational Excellence and Achievement" in 1998 - the first of its kind in the region.

Moza Mohammed Al Hufeiti transformed education through innovation. This teacher at Zayed Educational Complex in Dibba Al Fujairah created the "Interactive Digital Prayer Mat" and launched a digital library during COVID-19. Her work earned her recognition among the world's top 50 teacher candidates and multiple educational awards.

Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi shaped the UAE's foreign policy as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1990 to 2006. He was the first Commissioner General for Abu Dhabi's pavilion at Expo 1970 in Osaka, Japan. Beyond diplomacy, he founded the Rashid Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research in 2010 and authored the first modern Emirati novel "Shahenda" in 1971.

The late Mohammed Ibrahim Obaidullah dedicated his efforts to healthcare development. He established the "Obaidullah Hospital for Elderly Citizens Treatment" in Ras Al Khaimah in 2009 - the first specialized hospital of its kind in the UAE. He also founded a kidney dialysis center and supported various medical facilities.

Salem Hamad Al Mansouri and Fatima Majed Al Mansouri made an extraordinary decision after losing their five-year-old daughter Zahiya. They chose to donate her organs, saving three lives and becoming the first Emirati family to take this noble step, supporting the UAE's "Hayat" organ donation program.

Hamama Obaid Khamis served her community for over seven decades through traditional medicine. Born in Al Dhaid, she learned folk medicine from her parents and provided herbal treatments, cupping therapy, and traditional midwifery services free of charge. She helped deliver many children and became a symbol of care in her local community.

Abdulmonem bin Eisa Al Serkal enriched the UAE's cultural scene by establishing "Alserkal Avenue" in Dubai's Al Quoz area in 2008, one of the region's most important cultural centers. In 2019, he created the non-profit "Alserkal Arts Foundation" to support artists, researchers, and students. His efforts helped establish Dubai and the UAE as a global destination for art and culture.

The late David Heard arrived in Abu Dhabi in the 1960s as a petroleum engineer and later became an advisor to the Supreme Petroleum Council. But his hidden contribution was documenting the UAE's development from pearl diving and trade to becoming a strong, prosperous nation. In 2019, he donated an archive of over 440 units spanning 50 years to NYU Abu Dhabi's library.

The late Sultan Ali Al Owais devoted his life and wealth to culture, knowledge, and charity. He established the "Sultan bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award" in 1987, which remains one of the most prominent literary awards in the Arab world. He also built schools, hospitals, and five major dams in Fujairah and Ajman that still provide water to farmers today.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak has contributed significantly to Abu Dhabi and the UAE's progress over the past two decades. As Managing Director and CEO of Mubadala Investment Company since its founding in 2002, and Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority since 2004, he oversees strategic projects across international relations, economy, infrastructure, energy, education, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

The ceremony was attended by senior UAE leadership, including Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and other prominent officials, alongside the honorees' families and award partners.