Dubai: Under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Hope Makers initiative will hold its sixth edition closing ceremony on February 15 at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai. The event, renowned as the largest humanitarian initiative of its kind in the Arab world, will honor the most impactful Hope Makers, awarding the winner AED1 million for their exceptional humanitarian contributions.
According to Emirates News Agency, this latest edition of the Hope Makers initiative, organized under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has seen a record 15,802 nominations. This brings the total number of participants since the initiative’s inception in 2017 to over 335,000. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of hope as a driving force for determination and life, encouraging the Arab world to engage actively in community building and embrace the value of giving.
Sheikh Mohammed called on the Arab world to join this journey of hope and positive change, emphasizing the need for a renewed confidence in their ability to make significant contributions to civilization and shape a promising future. He expressed pride in the numerous inspiring stories of giving and generosity that each edition of the Hope Makers initiative brings.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of MBRGI, stated that the Hope Makers initiative embodies Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to establish giving and generosity as core values in the Arab world. It encourages community and volunteer leaders to drive positive change through unique humanitarian initiatives. Al Gergawi pointed out that the initiative has sparked a wide-reaching Arab movement since its launch, fostering a culture of giving and empowering countless individuals across the Arab world to undertake remarkable projects that transform community and volunteer work.
The initiative targets individuals and organizations worldwide, focusing on innovative projects that improve lives, alleviate suffering, and enhance various environments. Participation is strictly voluntary and non-profit, ensuring no financial gain for participants. Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has received overwhelming responses, including more than 65,000 submissions in its first year, exceeding its original target of 20,000.
Sheikh Mohammed also introduced the AED50 million Hope Makers Academy, which supports Arab humanitarian efforts by serving as an incubator for humanitarian projects. The Academy facilitates the transfer of global expertise and offers specialized leadership and executive training to enhance the impact of these initiatives.
In its fifth edition, the Hope Makers initiative received over 26,000 nominations within a month. Ahmed Zainoun from Morocco was crowned the top Hope Maker for his initiative to treat children with Xeroderma Pigmentosum, with Sheikh Mohammed awarding AED1 million each to two other finalists, bringing the total prize value to AED3 million.
The Hope Makers initiative aims to highlight unsung heroes dedicated to serving others and improving lives, amplifying their stories through various media platforms to increase recognition within their communities and across the Arab world. The initiative seeks to foster a culture of hope and positivity, rewarding generosity and highlighting inspiring role models of positive change.
