Union Newspaper Awarded Top Arab Media Excellence Accolade

Al-Ittihad newspaper won the Arab Media Excellence Award for 2025 at the Arab Information Ministers Council meeting in Cairo. The UAE publication took home the prize for best investigative report titled "Arab Youth and New Media: An Inspiring Role in Utilizing Social Platforms," written by Hazaa Abu Al-Reish.

The award ceremony happened during the 55th session of the Arab Information Ministers Council at the Arab League headquarters. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attended the event, and Sumaya Al Ali from the UAE Media Council accepted the award on behalf of the winning journalist.

Media experts, diplomats, and political analysts say this recognition marks an important milestone for Al-Ittihad, which launched on October 20, 1969. They point to the newspaper's long track record of covering Arab and international issues while maintaining objectivity and respecting readers' intelligence.

Egyptian journalist Emad El-Din Hussein, editor-in-chief of Al-Shorouk newspaper, called the win "happy news" that deserves congratulations. He followed Al-Ittihad daily during his 10 years working in the UAE and noted how the paper consistently won journalism excellence awards at the Dubai Media Forum. Hussein praised the newspaper's opinion pages, diverse content, and website for its regular updates and engaging material.

"The Arab world really needs advanced journalism that can compete globally and keep Arab readers informed about developments as they happen," Hussein said. He believes quality journalism helps build real Arab awareness capable of facing the challenges surrounding the region.

Dr. Howaida Mostafa, Dean of the Faculty of Media at Egypt University of Science and Technology, described the award as an honor for Arab journalism. She highlighted how Al-Ittihad goes beyond news coverage to include follow-ups, interviews, analysis, columns, and opinions that create space for discussion between thinkers and writers.

Mostafa pointed out the newspaper's approach to "humanizing" issues by focusing on human aspects of conflicts and disputes, especially in Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Syria. This perspective has created wide sympathy and found echo in international media.

Dr. Amr El-Deeb, professor of international relations at Lobachevsky State University in Russia, said Al-Ittihad has become a destination for those wanting balanced, neutral coverage of international and regional issues. He noted the paper's extensive daily coverage of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict since February 2022, including detailed reporting on prisoner exchanges mediated by the UAE.

Dr. Ayman Al-Raqab, professor of political science at Al-Quds University, praised the newspaper's support for Palestinian rights and its continuous communication with experts and sources inside Palestinian territories since the Israeli war on Gaza began in October 2023. He emphasized how the paper focused on humanitarian aspects before political ones, helping build solidarity with Palestinians.

Ambassador Salah Halima, deputy head of the Egyptian Council for African Affairs, valued Al-Ittihad's role in serving Arab and African causes. He noted the newspaper's interest in African continent issues including renewable energy, climate change crises, humanitarian aid, and developments in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab strait affecting international navigation.

The recognition reflects Al-Ittihad's strategic vision in covering complex regional issues, from terrorist organizations in the Sahel region and Lake Chad area to the Horn of Africa, contributing to security, stability, and efforts to counter threats.