Arab Hope Makers Initiative Invites Nominations To Celebrate Kindness And Optimism In 2024

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has highlighted the significance of spreading hope and acknowledging those who promote kindness and optimism. The search for Arab Hope Makers for the fifth edition of this initiative has been announced. This initiative is the largest of its kind in the Arab world, celebrating philanthropists and recognising their charitable efforts to improve communities.

The Arab Hope Makers initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2017, aims to uncover inspiring examples of philanthropy in the Arab world. It encourages individuals to dedicate resources for the greater good. "Humans are nourished by hope," said His Highness. "Communities flourish on hope, and even the most daunting challenges become manageable with genuine hope."

His Highness emphasised that while some sow despair in the region, they cultivate hope and champion optimism. He stated, "In every community, there are individuals who dedicate themselves to fostering hope and spreading kindness." The initiative encourages nominations through arabhopemakers.com for those who create hope.

The initiative seeks individuals and organisations globally with impactful projects that improve lives or address local challenges voluntarily. Nominations can be self-submitted or submitted by others who recognise deserving individuals. The winning Hope Maker receives AED1 million to support their humanitarian contributions.

Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Secretary-General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), noted that this initiative reflects His Highness's belief in recognising inspiring individual and institutional initiatives within the Arab world. It combats despair by focusing on positive contributions within communities.

The Hope Makers initiative has attracted over 300,000 nominations across its first four editions. It highlights initiatives that alleviate suffering among the sick, needy, orphaned, and unemployed. By opening nominations to any individual or organisation working to improve local living conditions, it fuels optimism across the region.

Acknowledging Humanitarian Efforts

In its fourth season, His Highness honoured finalists Tala Al Khalil from Iraq, Mohamed Al Najjar from Iraq, Amine Imnir from Morocco, and Fathiya Al Mahmoud from Egypt. These finalists were chosen from over 58,000 nominees for their varied projects in community service, humanitarian aid, education, youth empowerment, health, culture and arts.

The initiative's success continues as it builds upon previous achievements by promoting giving and generosity while showcasing impactful humanitarian efforts across the Arab world. Applications for the fifth edition are being accepted through arabhopemakers.com.

The inaugural launch in 2017 saw a creative ad posted on social media by His Highness offering a job as a Hope Maker with a reward of AED1 million. This announcement received over 65,000 submissions from individuals and organisations around the Arab world.

This initiative aims to honour individuals with noble initiatives in the Arab world while encouraging youth towards positive action. By celebrating these efforts broadly through tens of thousands of stories collected across regions, it highlights those behind these noble projects.

With inputs from WAM