Proud to be Zayed Award's 'Cultural Personality of the Year': Mohammed

In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, honoured at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre, winners of the 9th Zayed Book Award.

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was named 'Cultural Personality of the Year' by the Zayed Book Award.

Also present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Transport Department and of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of the National Consultative Council (NCC) Sheikhs and senior officials.
 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said he was extremely proud of being named the Cultural Personality of the Year in its ninth session 2014/2015 which, he said, carried the name of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a name that left an enduring legacy in the history, a stature that time will also remember and an increasingly embedded place in the hearts.

His Highness said, ''Our words, poems and achievements speak one language, which is the language of the UAE and is based on the deeply-rooted principles of the late founding fathers: Zayed bin Sultan and Rashid bin Saeed. In fact, this honouring today is a recognition of their school and celebration of the eloquent UAE language through which we address the world.''

''I escorted Sheikh Zayed for years and my story with him started before and after the birth of the Union.

“I witnessed a meeting that brought Zayed with Rashid in a tent to lay the foundation of the Union. There, history wrote down the first page of the evolution of the UAE state,'' he recalled.

''We have learned from Zayed how to address the world; how to shape our identity and culture; how to chronicle our own history.

“We have also learned that history writes only what is worth to be written and that there is no respect, glory and prestige without achievements that speak volumes.

“Otherwise, the world will never listen to our poem, which is perfectly written with the rhymes and meter of prominence, excellence and leadership,'' he added.

''This award has special significance as it carries the name of Zayed who held us in his heart and mind  and we became his concern and dream.

“His people deeply loved him, held him in a high regard and his name was a synonym for great words and deeds.''

Sheikh Mohammed paid profound tribute to his brother, General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, for his noble, fraternal feelings, the warm hospitality and his initiative to launch and sponsor this annual award and for launching cultural initiatives that promoted the cultural personality of the UAE internationally, thus transforming the country into an attractive destination for smart minds in thought, science and knowledge.

General Mohamed pays tribute to Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Speaking during the ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre to honour Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and other winners of the award, Gen. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the selection of the Vice-President for the coveted title was in fact a "celebration of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's solid determination and wise vision which enabled him to lead a comprehensive progress in all domains, including culture”.

He added that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's achievements and initiatives reflect his innovative outlook and his passion for seeking new challenges to surmount and new horizons to reach.

"I sincerely congratulate the people of the UAE and salute our innovators on this well-deserved recognition," he added.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also congratulated winners of this year's Zayed Book Award for different categories.

Gen. Mohamed honours Zayed Book Award winners

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed then honoured other winners in  the award's 9th session.

They are: Literature Award: Osama Alaysa from Palestine for his novel, ‘Majaneen bait lahem’ (The fools of Bethlehem).

Translation Award: Professor Hanawa Haruo from Japan for his work on Naguib Mahfouz’s Cairo Trilogy (Palace Walk, Palace of Desire and Sugar Street) translated to Japanese.

Arab Culture in Other Languages Award: Sugita Hideaki, also from Japan, for his book, Arabian-Naito to Nihon-Jin (The Arabian Nights and the Japanese).

Publishing and Technology Award: Arab Scientific Publishers Inc. from Lebanon.

Speaking at the award-giving ceremony, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Secretary-General of the Award, said His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has given prominence to culture which also elevated him.

He noted that His Highness offered brilliant options and shining examples that transformed ideas, theories and concepts into real life and projects of happiness, citing his latest launch of the Hope Probe to explore the Mars.

Bin Tamim also paid tribute to General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed for his significant support and care for culture in general and the award  in particular, until it  has grown into an international prestigious award.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.