The Sheikh Zayed Book Award committee has announced that Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has been named as the Cultural Personality of the Award's ninth session, 2014/2015. The award honours prominent figures for their distinguished contributions to the advancement of Arab culture, and for works that call for tolerance and promote peaceful coexistence.

The announcement was made yesterday during a press conference at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Jumaa Al Qubaisi, Member of the Board of Trustees, Executive Director of the National Library.

Following the declaration of His Highness as winner of the award, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, President of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Tourism and the award's Board of Trustees, Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, award's Secretary-General, and the members of the Board extended their warmest congratulations and sincerest regards to Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on winning this year's award, which honours prominent figures, for his distinguished contributions to Arab culture.

Bin Tamim explained that the decision came as a tribute to His Highness being one of the most prominent agents of change in all walks of cultural development, with achievements ever expanding far and wide all over the world, fostering Arab culture, whether in creative work, intellectual endeavour, or promotion of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. His Highness's work, Bin Tamim added, brings hope and optimism to creative individuals in all fields, exemplifying the very essence of the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in whose name the award is given.
Source: WAM