E-Paper
Sign In
8 Middle Eastern icons among 183 finalists in Century Merit Poll
Results of the merit-bound global poll for Quarticentennial Gazette to be aired shortly
- PUBLISHED: Thu 2 Apr 2026, 12:25 PM
A rigorous, merit-based methodology has been developed to identify individuals and initiatives for the Quarticentennial Merited Impacts Gazette, a roadmap capturing the most meaningful contributions from 2000 to 2025. It's “Axiological Architecture” framework prioritises documented achievements over fame matrix.
Positioned as a “categorical mirror” of 21st century, the merit poll of around 183 icons shortlisted from 1.9 million notables across 195 countries, invites public reflection on their impact-relevance.
Recommended For You
Evaluation is based on 'Merited Impact Value' (MIV), a 1,000-point system. It measures four dimensions—Humanitarian Impact Merit (HIM), Scientific Impact Merit (SIM), Resilience Impact Merit (RIM), and Cumulative Impact Merit (CIM). Combined scores are then multiplied by a cumulative coefficient (CC), ensuring the judgement by broader societal influence.
A 150 neutral assessors' panel applies a centricity focus—human, knowledge, nature, and holistic centricities—across thematic areas such as humanitarianism, scientific innovations, and environmental stewardship. The rubric allocates 200 points for spatio-temporal depth, 600 for transformative impact, and 200 for global recognition, with strict reliance on verifiable evidence.
“Spanning the vast spatio-temporal tapestry of our era—from the towering mountains of human ambition to the deepest oceans of scientific discovery—every pulse of progress is captured here. From the soaring mountains of China to the searing deserts of Africa, and from the first sunrise of 2000 to the final sunset of December 2025 — from Chen Si and Yukio Shige to Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese, from Stephen Soldz to King Charles — from Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi Lionel to Prince Harry; from Melanie O’Brien to Scott Ruskan and Kailash Satyarthi — from polymathic icons like, Systems Theorist Fritjof Capra and Arch-Researcher Aurangzeb Hafi to Shing-Tung Yau — from trailblazers like Usain Bolt to Elon Musk; — from Rana Dajani to Muna Abu Sulayman and Aya Chebbi — in youngest voices from Orion Jean to Fiddhah Hafiah and Ghulam Bishar Hafi—and finally, from posthumous legacy icons like Nelson Mandela to Bilquis Edhi and Ruth Pfau — all are presented hereby to be voted for the Quarticentennial Merit Gazette," reads the IH ballot prologue.
For 'Century Merit Poll', eight Middle Eastern icons have been nominated:
Dr Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti (UAE) is recognised for Global Cybersecurity ranking, while Issa Amro (Palestine) for peaceful human-rights activism.
From Egypt, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub is nominated for pioneering cardiac surgery and humanitarian healthcare, and Karim El-Mosalamy as a Special Olympics athlete.
Jordan’s Rana Dajani is recognised for scientific work and the global literacy movement “We Love Reading”.
From Qatar, Nawaal Akram is nominated for disability advocacy, while Ghanim Al-Muftah is recognised for resilience.
Syria's Bana Al-Abed, the youngest nominee, is noted for documenting the Aleppo siege and advocating for peace and children’s rights.
The initiative aims to record history not through fleeting fame but through the "indelible ink of merit”.
The century merit poll is open at: https://www.impacthallmarks.org/#voting.