Journalists from throughout the Arab region honoured

DUBAI — Distinguished journalists from throughout the region were honoured at the Arab Journalism Awards ceremony here yesterday. The glittering event was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, besides a galaxy of top media figures, diplomats, academics and government representatives from around the Arab world.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Thu 27 Apr 2006, 11:23 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 5:55 PM

Khalfan Al Roomi, Chairman of the Board of Arab Journalism Awards, said the Awards, presented by the Dubai Press Club, have gained great prestige and are on par with other prominent media awards around the world.

"Transparency, objectivity and credibility are the key factors behind the eminence that the awards have gained across the Arab World and beyond in their relatively short existence,"¡ said Mona Al Marri, Secretary General of the Arab Journalism Awards and Chairperson of the Dubai Press Club. She pointed out the annual search for media excellence is based on these three main pillars — the judging committee ensures equal opportunity for all journalists and a confidential and objective evaluation of all potential awardees.

Representatives of the leading regional and international organisations that supported this year's event presented the awards to the winners.

Special awards were presented on the occasion to the families of journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty. Shaikh Mohammed presented the families of Gibran Tuwaini, Sameer Kaser, Atwar Bahjat, May Chidiac, and Jawad Kadem.

Salahuddin Hafiz from Egypt won the Media Personality of the Year Award for his outstanding contribution to the development of Arabic Media and was presented his award by Shaikh Mohammed.

Salama Ahmed Salama from Egypt won the Best Columnist Category. The award, for the best column published in any daily or weekly Arabic publication, was presented by Sultan bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel.

The award for the Best Business Article for 2005 was won by Hussian Mohammed Al Shbaili from Al Jazeera (KSA) and was presented by Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Director General of the Dubai International Financial Centre, while Fadel Al Ali, Chief Operations Officer of Dubai Holding, presented the Award for the Best Sports Article to Sami Abdul Emam of Al Bayan (UAE).

Amal Suroor of Nusf Al Duniya Magazine, Egypt, won the award for the Best Environmental Article.

The Award for the Best Interview was lifted by Jumana Haddad from Al Nahar, Lebanon, and was presented by Abdulrahman Al Mutaiwee, Director General Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, while the Best Cultural Article award was won by Abdo Wazen, Al Hayat, also from Lebanon.

Suhaib Jadallah Hasan from Reuters, Palestine, won the Best Photo-Journalism Award, while the award for the Best IT Article went to Jamal Mohammed Al Dwairi, Al Khaleej (UAE).

Mohammed Amin Al Masri, Al Ahram, Egypt won the the award for the Best Political Article. Emad Hajaj of Al Ghad (Jordan) won the award in the Best Caricature category, while the award for the Best Investigative Article was presented to Msaed Ahmed Al Osaimi of Al Majallah Magazine (KSA).

Afkar Al Khradli, Editor-in-Chief of Nusf Al Duniya presented the Best Article for Children Award to Nabeha Mhaidli, Managing Editor of Tuta Tuta Magazine of Lebanon.