Abu Dhabi Honors 20-Year Anniversary by Recognizing Community Devotion
The Abu Dhabi Awards, a prestigious recognition program established in 2005, is a testament to the UAE's commitment to celebrating individuals who have demonstrated selflessness, compassion, and civic contributions that positively impact the community.
Patronized by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the awards have honoured 100 recipients from 18 nationalities over the past 20 years. These honourees, who hail from diverse fields such as healthcare, education, environment, cultural heritage, volunteerism, science, and social support, reflect the UAE’s values of unity and social responsibility.
Criteria for Nomination
Anyone, regardless of their nationality or residency status, can be nominated for the Abu Dhabi Awards if they have made significant and selfless contributions to the UAE community. The contributions should have a positive and lasting impact, showcasing qualities of goodness, unity, participation, and social responsibility.
Nomination Process
Nominations for the Abu Dhabi Awards are open to the general public and accessible year-round via the official Abu Dhabi Awards website. Any individual across the UAE can submit a nomination, and only one nomination is needed for a candidate to be considered. The process encourages nominating "unsung heroes" whose quiet service has made a significant difference.
Winner Selection Process
While specific details on the winner selection mechanism are not provided explicitly, it is likely that shortlisted candidates are reviewed by a panel or committee dedicated to evaluating the impact and significance of nominees’ contributions. The awards are presented at ceremonies marking the recognition of honourees who meet the award’s core mission of celebrating community excellence and altruism.
Notable Honourees
Two of the most inspiring honourees are Theban Al Mheiri and Dr. Essam El Shammaa.
Theban Al Mheiri, at just 23 years old, was involved in a car crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. After a period of deep depression, he became one of the UAE's most dedicated advocates for the disabled. His work has brought attention to the simplest yet most profound daily struggles faced by the disabled, such as the difficulty of using a toilet or navigating inaccessible public spaces. For his efforts, he was recognized with an Abu Dhabi Award in 2017.
Dr. El Shammaa returned to Abu Dhabi in 1976 from Great Ormond Street and the Royal Free Hospital in London, initially on unpaid leave and with no plans to stay. His early work with ultrasound, including detecting a baby's gender, sparked controversy but was supported by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He remained an adviser at the hospital's imaging department where he first worked and was recognized with an Abu Dhabi Award in 2021.
Current Initiatives
Nominations for this year's Abu Dhabi Awards are now open, and anyone can submit a hero on the official website. The recipients of the Abu Dhabi Awards will be honoured during a special ceremony, where President Sheikh Mohamed personally awards each winner the Abu Dhabi Medal. The date for this ceremony is yet to be confirmed.
[1] Abu Dhabi Awards Official Website [5] Gulf News Article on Abu Dhabi Awards
- The health-and-wellness sector has been significantly recognized through the Abu Dhabi Awards, with individuals like Theban Al Mheiri, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident, being honored for his advocacy for the disabled and raising awareness about the daily struggles faced by the disabled community.
- In 2021, Dr. Essam El Shammaa, a medical professional who returned from hospitals in London and made groundbreaking advancements in the field of ultrasound, was recognized with an Abu Dhabi Award for his contributions to health and science.
- Beyond healthcare, the Abu Dhabi Awards also celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields such as education, environment, culture, volunteerism, social support, and science, reflecting the UAE's values of unity and social responsibility.
- Nominations for the Abu Dhabi Awards are open year-round on the official website, allowing anyone across the UAE to submit a nomination for an unsung hero who has positively impacted the community, regardless of their nationality or residency status.
