Sheikh Mohammed will honour the sixth Arab Hope Makers winner with a Dh1 million prize/Image: X
The UAE will host the closing ceremony of the sixth edition of Arab Hope Makers on February 15 at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The ceremony will honour leading humanitarian initiatives from across the Arab world and announce a winner who will receive an AED1 million award.
A movement built on hope and action
Arab Hope Makers has grown into the region’s largest humanitarian initiative, celebrating individuals and organisations that devote their time, effort and resources to improving lives. The initiative focuses on voluntary, non-profit efforts that address real challenges, from alleviating suffering to strengthening social, educational, cultural and economic environments.Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has attracted more than 335,000 Hope Makers across the Arab world. The sixth edition alone received 15,802 nominations, reflecting continued public engagement and a growing culture of giving and community service.
From idea to regional platform
The initiative was first announced in 2017 through a creative message shared by Sheikh Mohammed on his official social media accounts, offering a role titled Hope Maker with a reward of AED1 million. The response exceeded expectations, drawing over 65,000 submissions from individuals, volunteer groups and humanitarian organisations, far above the original target of 20,000.Over the years, the initiative has evolved beyond a single award into a platform that highlights impactful humanitarian ideas and supports their expansion. It also led to the launch of the Hope Makers Academy, a AED50 million programme designed to strengthen Arab humanitarian work. The academy supports promising projects by transferring global expertise and offering specialised leadership and executive training in collaboration with leading experts and institutions.
Recognition and lasting impact
Each edition concludes with a public ceremony that honours finalists and announces the top Hope Maker. Last year’s event was attended by 12,000 people, including humanitarian and cultural leaders. The fifth edition saw Ahmed Zainoun from Morocco named the top Hope Maker for his initiative to treat children with xeroderma pigmentosum, known as Children of the Moon. Two other finalists were also awarded AED1 million each, bringing the total prize value to AED3 million. Speaking about the initiative, Sheikh Mohammed has described hope as a driving force that fuels determination and progress. In a message shared on X, he said that optimism spreads across people and institutions, and that planting the seeds of hope leads to generations committed to serving their communities and believing in achievement.Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has said the initiative reflects a vision that places generosity and giving at the heart of Arab society. By spotlighting inspiring philanthropy and innovative humanitarian action, he noted, Arab Hope Makers has empowered hundreds of thousands of people with the confidence and insight to transform community and volunteer work.As the sixth edition draws to a close in Dubai, Arab Hope Makers continues to position hope not as an abstract idea, but as practical action that reshapes lives and communities across the region. Go to Source
