Forty-six Emirati philanthropists led by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, were honoured with the UAE Pioneers Award in Abu Dhabi yesterday at St Regis Hotel in Saadiyat Island to reflect the nation’s humanitarian ideals since its establishment.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, decorated the leading philanthropists with medals of honour, to mark the 46th National Day at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid stressed that the UAE is a country of goodness and giving in all fields of humanitarian work and that its humanitarian role is not new. “It is a firm approach from parents and founders. Our martyrs will only increase our strength, cohesion and perseverance in continuing to help the brotherly and friendly peoples,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
He added that “Zayed is the builder of humanitarian generosity in the country, and Khalifa is the role model for giving. Our martyrs are the ones who support the continuation of good and its roots in society.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid honoured Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed for his generous contributions and initiatives in the field of humanitarian and charitable work.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, speaking on the occasion, said that the human spirit is the most precious thing in existence. “To do what we can to save lives from preventable diseases and to invest in eradicating diseases is a goal that seeks to complete the journey of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the field of goodness and humanity for more than 30 years. It has supported global efforts to eradicate diseases,” he said
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan believes that world leaders have an opportunity to eliminate preventable diseases, and it is their duty to alleviate the suffering of humanity. Since 2011, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed has pledged $270 million to support global efforts to eradicate deadly diseases, including $205 million to support polio eradication, contributions to the JAVI vaccine alliance, $30 million to support malaria eradication and $15 million to eradicate guinea worm disease.
In November, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the “Last Mile Fund” aimed at raising $100 million to fund urgent efforts to eradicate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in several countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “I am very grateful to my brother, [Shaikh] Mohammad Bin Rashid, for his generous tribute to the values we hold on this good land.
There is no better feeling than planting good and hope in the land,” he said. “We share the joy in a child’s smile, and the honour with the leaders of the homeland and the constellation of the finest sons of the UAE ... it gives us pleasure and pride and increases our determination to move forward for the good of our country and the welfare of mankind.”
His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman was also honoured with the UAE Pioneers Award for his initiatives and charitable works.
The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, which supports humanitarian and development projects in more than 35 countries, focusing particularly on health and education, received an award, accepted by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services received the honour for its humanitarian services and Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, received an award for her humanitarian initiatives.
The Emirates Red Crescent, a volunteer humanitarian organisation that has supported official authorities in times of peace and war since 1983 and is a member of the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since 1986, also received a medal of honour.
Among the top honourees were Juma Al Majid, founder of Al Ahlia Charity Schools since 1988, and Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, who received a medal for making a Dh360 million endowment for a health centre in Fujairah.
Twenty members of Al Junaibi family were honoured for setting up the Good Companion Team, a charity initiative.
Fatima Ali Ebrahim, 82, was honoured for being the UAE’s most senior volunteer.
The achievements of those honoured will be documented in the Cabinet and their biographies and winning initiatives will be written in a special book, which will be published later.
It is the fourth time Shaikh Mohammad has used the occasion to extol the qualities of Emirati pioneers. Last year, literary men and cultural entities were celebrated to mark the Year of Reading.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, decorated the leading philanthropists with medals of honour, to mark the 46th National Day at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid stressed that the UAE is a country of goodness and giving in all fields of humanitarian work and that its humanitarian role is not new. “It is a firm approach from parents and founders. Our martyrs will only increase our strength, cohesion and perseverance in continuing to help the brotherly and friendly peoples,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
He added that “Zayed is the builder of humanitarian generosity in the country, and Khalifa is the role model for giving. Our martyrs are the ones who support the continuation of good and its roots in society.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid honoured Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed for his generous contributions and initiatives in the field of humanitarian and charitable work.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, speaking on the occasion, said that the human spirit is the most precious thing in existence. “To do what we can to save lives from preventable diseases and to invest in eradicating diseases is a goal that seeks to complete the journey of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in the field of goodness and humanity for more than 30 years. It has supported global efforts to eradicate diseases,” he said
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan believes that world leaders have an opportunity to eliminate preventable diseases, and it is their duty to alleviate the suffering of humanity. Since 2011, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed has pledged $270 million to support global efforts to eradicate deadly diseases, including $205 million to support polio eradication, contributions to the JAVI vaccine alliance, $30 million to support malaria eradication and $15 million to eradicate guinea worm disease.
In November, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the “Last Mile Fund” aimed at raising $100 million to fund urgent efforts to eradicate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis in several countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “I am very grateful to my brother, [Shaikh] Mohammad Bin Rashid, for his generous tribute to the values we hold on this good land.
There is no better feeling than planting good and hope in the land,” he said. “We share the joy in a child’s smile, and the honour with the leaders of the homeland and the constellation of the finest sons of the UAE ... it gives us pleasure and pride and increases our determination to move forward for the good of our country and the welfare of mankind.”
His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman was also honoured with the UAE Pioneers Award for his initiatives and charitable works.
The Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, which supports humanitarian and development projects in more than 35 countries, focusing particularly on health and education, received an award, accepted by Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services received the honour for its humanitarian services and Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, received an award for her humanitarian initiatives.
The Emirates Red Crescent, a volunteer humanitarian organisation that has supported official authorities in times of peace and war since 1983 and is a member of the international Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since 1986, also received a medal of honour.
Among the top honourees were Juma Al Majid, founder of Al Ahlia Charity Schools since 1988, and Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, who received a medal for making a Dh360 million endowment for a health centre in Fujairah.
Twenty members of Al Junaibi family were honoured for setting up the Good Companion Team, a charity initiative.
Fatima Ali Ebrahim, 82, was honoured for being the UAE’s most senior volunteer.
The achievements of those honoured will be documented in the Cabinet and their biographies and winning initiatives will be written in a special book, which will be published later.
It is the fourth time Shaikh Mohammad has used the occasion to extol the qualities of Emirati pioneers. Last year, literary men and cultural entities were celebrated to mark the Year of Reading.
Reporting by Samir Salama
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