Deputy of Ruler of Dubai and chairman of Dubai Organization for Media, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the winners of “Arab Journalism” award for 2017 during the ceremony hold in the city of Jumeirah, coinciding with the end of the sixteenth session of the Arab Media Forum, the biggest and the most important media platform in the Arab world.

The ceremony was attended by, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Secretary General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Future Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the National Media Council Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, and President of Dubai Press Club Mona Ghanem Al Marri, along with, editors of the UAE and Arab newspapers, senior writers, thinkers, opinion makers, symbols of Arab cultural work and leaders of media organizations in the region.

The awards were given for 17 winners from different daily and weekly newspapers and printed and electronic magazines of almost 6 thousand work covering different fields.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum gave “Media person of the year” to Editor-in-chief of Al-Sharq al-Awsat, the Lebanese writer and journalist Ghassan Charbel for his efforts and achievements in the Arab media. The award of “Press column” was given to writer, Nasser Al-Dhahiri who writes for El Ethad newspaper and has many books like, when “Palms are buried” and “One step to life, Two steps for death”. Many of his stories were translated into English, Russian, French, Spanish and Indian.

The award of “Smart Journalism” was given to “Sabaq” Saudi electronic newspaper. This category aims to increase awareness about modern techniques and how to implement it Arab journalism.Member of the Board of Directors of the Arab Journalism Award, Sawsan Al Shaer gave “Political Journalism” award to journalist Mokhtar Sho’eeb from Al Ahram newspaper. Member of the Board of Directors Yasser Rizq gave “Investigative Journalism: award to Emad Abd El Hameed from Al Bayan Newspaper. Badria El Bashr gave “Cultural Journalism”award to Ahmed Farahat from “El Ethad” newspaper, and Mohammed Shoeer from the Egyptian “Literature News” newspaper. They both won it fifty to fity. Member, Mohammed Al Naghmesh gave “Economic Journalism” award to Bassam Abd El Samee’ from “El Ethad” newspaper. Member, Mohammed El Hamadi gave “Humanitarian Journalism” award to Mohammed El Raji from Moroccon “Haspris” newspaper. Mona Bou Samra gave ”Specialized Journalism” award to Al-Azab Al-Taher from Al - Ahram newspaper in Egypt. “Press Dialogue” award was given to Ahmed Ashour from “Emirates Today”. Member, Samy El Ryami gave “Sports Journalism” award was given to Mahmoud Shawky from “Radio and Television" magazine. The award of “Best photograph” was given to Jafar Shteh of AFP. Member, Younis Mogahed gave “Caricature” to Amjad Rasmy from “Middle East” newspaper. Diaa Rashwan gave “ Arab Journalism for Youth” award was given to Mohammed Abu Daef from “El Watan” newspaper, Alaa Abu Aisha from “Plaestine” newspaper and Mustafa Hosny From “El Masry El Youm”.

Poem “To my nation” by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sang by Lotfi Bouchnak and Latifa was casted during the ceremony. General Secretariat of the Arab Journalism Award recived more than 5.900 works from all over the world, which created a huge competition between all journalists from all over the world.

Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, President of the UAE University Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi said that, Arab Media Forum logo for this year ‘Civil Dialogue” was successful, as it managed to include ideas and concepts expressing UAE in different fields, which will allow a discussion about building a civil and elegant dialogue. He added in a statement that, this forum is a way to transfer dialogue into action, especially in Arab media.
Chairwoman of “Abu Dhabi for media” Noura Mohammed Helal Al Ka’bi tweeted after ‘El Ethad “newspaper won 3 awards saying that, these awards are an important addition to the golden record of the newspaper. Director General, Ali Bin Tamim also tweeted congratulating his fellows for their awrds, and thanked Abu Dhabi for media for its continuous support.