I have just returned from a visit to Dubai in which I participated in the activities of the Arab Awards Forum for the fifth session, representing the Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Award, which was hosted with all generosity and generosity by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and in the presence of more than twenty prestigious Arab awards bearing the names of kings, princes and heads of Arab countries, as well as influential businessmen and important cultural figures. The King Faisal Prize adopted the establishment of the Forum, which is considered an Arab cultural gathering and its membership includes Arab region awards available to all Arabs, in a step that reflects a spirit of responsibility and a serious desire to coordinate Arab efforts in the field of culture and science and exchange experiences and ideas.
The Arab-Arab meeting in Dubai, the land of goodness and giving, which included an elite group of thought, culture and media leaders, was a wonderful opportunity to discuss ways of cooperation between those in charge of the Arab awards, with remarkable Saudi blessing and support. Had it not been for the Saudi and Emirati initiative and their organizational and financial efforts made to bring together those working in the Arab appreciation awards sector in one place, this meeting would not have been possible.
Due to the importance of the event, which is held every two years, the opening of the forum witnessed the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Culture and Arts Authority in the Emirate of Dubai, who met with the participants and welcomed the Arab Cultural Gathering in its fifth session. After that, the forum was led ably by everyone
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sabeel, the Saudi writer, researcher, and journalist, Secretary General of the King Faisal International Award, Chairman of the Arab Awards Forum, and the Emirati historian, writer, and media personality, Jamal Bin Huwaireb, Advisor to the Dubai Government for Culture and Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, who were keen on the success of the Forum’s work and the achievement of its objectives.
Hosting the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, this elegant educational and cultural edifice in Dubai, for the meeting of the fifth session of the forum, gave attendees the opportunity to learn about the priceless historical holdings contained in this global library. Dr. Mohammed Al Mazrouei, a member of the Library’s Board of Directors, graciously accompanied us on an interesting tour of human history among ancient books and historical manuscripts that preceded the meeting.
In this session, the Yousef Bin Ahmed Kanoo Award, the prestigious Bahraini award, recorded its first attendance in the history of the forum, in a participation that carries a valuable moral dimension and is an important step in its journey that has exceeded a quarter of a century. This presence placed the award among the most important and prestigious Arab awards, as it participated alongside the Isa Award for Service to Humanity in representing Bahrain within this prominent Arab cultural gathering.
The Gulf embrace of the Arab awards, which encourage creativity, is an extension of a long process characterized by the Arab Gulf states opening their hands and doors to any joint Arab effort, in all fields. It is certain that the Gulf countries, thanks to their generous support and deep belief in Arabism and Arab integration, have become the preferred destination for Arab intellectuals for fruitful meetings and the most appropriate place to exchange visions and knowledge.
Solo flight
The head of the Jordanian award promised me to send me a list of names of Jordanian judges as a means of exchanging experiences. The head of one of the Gulf awards hinted at the possibility of opening the field of cooperation in publishing, and the head of the Mauritanian delegation told me an anecdote about a Mauritanian mother who confiscated all of her son’s toys as punishment after she discovered that he had not composed poetry, stressing that it is rare for a Mauritanian house to be devoid of poets! This is how the Arab meeting was: cooperation, opportunities and stories!
