Dubai announces world peace award

By Rizwan Khatik - Thu Oct 13, 4:11 am

Dubai: The Government of Dubai on Wednesday announced the launch of a world peace award that aims to award personalities and institutions helping to achieving peace around the globe.

The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Peace Award was established by a decree issued on Wednesday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, WAM said.

The award, to be based in Dubai, will “enjoy a corporate body status and financial and administrative independence, and the full legal capacity to help it carry out its duties and activities and achieve its objectives,” the decree said, adding that the prize will be awarded every two years.

“The UAE has established its image as a leading country in recognising human and cultural initiatives and personalities in the region and in the world. The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum World Peace Award will be no less than other international prizes in the field of peace, and will not duplicate any one of them,” Dr Hamad Al Shaikh Ahmad Al Shaibani, Chairman of the 12-member Board of Trustees of the award, told Gulf News in a telephone interview. The value of the prize and the rules of nomination will be announced soon, he added.

According to the decree, the award was set up “to recognise outstanding contributions in world peace issues, which is a way to activate civilised interaction among people, preserving peace and stability and developing them in the world, and encouraging spirited initiatives and excellence in preserving world peace. The award also aims to encourage communication among different religions, and bringing forth the true image of Islam, which is a religion of forgiveness and peace.”

Policies in focus

Dr Al Shaibani said the establishment of the award underlines the peace policies set by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice-President. “The award aims to strengthen peace initiatives undertaken by the UAE throughout the world,” he explained.

Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Deputy Chairman of the board of the award, said Islamic peace values and the strong heritage of the UAE as a peace-loving nation will add to the credibility of the award, which he said would be one of the most prestigious awards around the globe.

Speaking to Gulf News, Bin Mejren said Dubai and the UAE had always come with qualitative initiatives in different fields of life. “The award will be another success story to be written by Dubai for the sake of humanity and for reinforcing peace in the world,” he said.