3.25 PM Tuesday, 19 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:07 06:20 12:29 15:54 18:33 19:47
19 March 2024

Mohammed directs launch of 'Periodic Media Briefings' system

Sheikh Mohammed attends the Patrons of the Arts Awards. (Supplied)

Published
By Staff

As per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi announced the launch of ‘Periodic Media Briefings’ system.

The new system aims to develop direct, periodic and transparent communication mechanism between all federal agencies and the media.

Al Gergawi’s announcement came during an extended meeting held with representatives of the local media.

The new mechanism is based on holding direct and open meetings during which each federal body, in accordance with its competence, communicates with the media on a regular basis to answer queries and questions, and comment on issues of concern to the public, as well as discuss the most important developments and projects in the various federal agencies with the media. 

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the ceremony held by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards celebrating its 4th edition, at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Hotel today.

The celebration ceremony was also attended by Dubai Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Federal National Council (FNC) Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of Art and Culture Authority Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Health Minister Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Director of Dubai Ruler's Court Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shebani, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, senior officials in addition to several figures from cultural, economic and art sectors in the country.

Some 40 individuals and organisations were honoured for supporting art and culture in Dubai during the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards.

The 40 honourees together contributed over Dh170 million to Dubai’s arts scene in 2012.

The honours were presented in four categories: Distinguished Patrons of the Arts, Patrons of the Arts, Supporters of the Arts, and Friends of the Arts.

The categories were based on the significance of contributions towards the four disciplines of art - visual arts, performing arts, film, and literature - from January to December 2012. 

In his speech at the ceremony, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Saeed Al Naboodah expressed deep thanks and gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed for his patronage and unremitting support for the movement of art in the UAE thus giving an incentive for companies and individuals as well as other entities to support and encourage creative artists and enrich the cultural scene in Dubai in particular and the UAE in general.

In this context, he noted that the progress of nations is measured first by their culture and arts, which are an important part of the cultural scene.

Dubai Deputy Ruler Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Federal National Council (FNC) Speaker Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr honoured the category of Patrons of Arts including President of Dubai Women Establishment Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum wife of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of presidential Affairs Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan; the award was received on her behalf by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Maktoum also honoured distinguished art supporters including Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Special Honouree Award was introduced to Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, for her patronage and financial and moral support of most art activities in Dubai; Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received the award on her behalf. 

Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had earlier honoured Friends of the Arts  category including Sheikha Wafa bint Hashr bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. 

Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the honourees and acclaimed their efforts and financial, moral and logistic contributions to art and artists, affirming that he personally follows up with great concern all artistic activities of all sorts. 

He noted that cultural and humanitarian dimension we seek to consolidate in the UAE society can’t be achieved without our love, support for peace and tolerance among people, cultures and arts; therefore, we reward supporters and connoisseurs of art. 

Before the end of the ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed posed for photographs with the honourees.