ABU DHABI, 8th December, 2013 (WAM) -- The ?Sheikh Zayed International Award For 'Poets of Peace? (ZIAPP) has been launched in collaboration with the United Nations. The award will bring together poets from different nationalities to present their sonnets in Arabic to spread a message of peace around the world in an attempt to stop wars and fight hunger.
ZIAPP honours the memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, and his commitment to peace and social welfare. As the first of its kind in the region, the global award aims at spreading awareness amongst people about the importance of peace in the world, and raising consciousness for humanitarian work around the world. Sultan Al Jasmi, General Manager, Sheikh Zayed International Award For Poets Of Peace, said, "The United Arab Emirates is led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and The U.A.E. Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, who are all equally keen to spread a core message of peace in the world, in memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. We follow their path and we believe peace is every person?s right regardless of their religion, nationality, race and social status."Al Jasmi added. "We welcome global Arab poets to the U.A.E. and encourage Arabic speakers, be they native speakers or fluent in Arabic to take part in the award. Under the theme of peace, the award has been established to preserve the Arabic language and encourage the poets to show their literary talents." The award is now accepting submissions on its website where global Arabic poets are invited to register to enter. The global winners of the inaugural Sheikh Zayed International Award For Poets will be announced during the award ceremony, which will also be televised. Winners will receive cash prizes. Ashraf Hammoudeh, Acting Director, United Nations World Food Programme, said: "We are delighted to support the Sheikh Zayed International Award For Poets Of Peace that spreads awareness on humanitarian work across the world and supports aid programmes in the world."The event?s dedicated website features all information on the award and shows the full calendar of supporting events. Sheikh Zayed International Award For Poets Of Peace has also launched a hash tag for the event, #PoetsofPeace, to help raise awareness and engagement on different social media platforms. The website also includes images and videos of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, provided by the National Centre For Documentation and Research. Some proceeds of the Sheikh Zayed?s International Award For Poets Of Peace will go to the United Nations World Food Programme, the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Poets wishing to enter the award should adhere to the following criteria: The poet must have already had poetry volumes published, be an Arabic speaker (native speaker, or fluent in Arabic), should have dedicated time and be able to travel to the U.A.E., and be aged 18 years and above. Priority will be given to previously internationally awarded poets. More information can be found on the event's website at: zayedpoetsaward.comCopyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2013.
