His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, underscored the crucial role of nurturing hope and acknowledging those committed to promoting kindness and positivity.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has initiated the search for Arab Hope Makers for the fifth edition of this initiative. Recognized as the largest of its kind in the Arab region, it celebrates philanthropists and honors their charitable, social, and humanitarian efforts aimed at enhancing their communities, assisting those in need, and making a significant positive impact by dedicating their resources and talents for the common good.
The power of hope in communities
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Humans are nourished by hope. Communities flourish on hope, and even the most daunting challenges become manageable with genuine hope. While some sow despair and frustration in our region, we cultivate hope and champion optimism.”
He further continued, “In every community, there are individuals who dedicate themselves to fostering hope and spreading kindness. Let us celebrate these Hope Makers, recognise their contributions, and showcase them as role models.”
Encouraging nominations for Hope Makers
“Another season of the Hope Makers initiative begins, and we encourage everyone to nominate themselves or others as creators of hope through arabhopemakers.com.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed concluded, “May God guide us to be beacons of hope, positivity, and optimism for a brighter future in our region.”
A call to combat negativity
Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, secretary-general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), noted that the Hope Makers initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2017, has successfully highlighted inspiring examples of Arab philanthropy, motivating millions to get involved. The initiative embodies His Highness’s conviction that the Arab world is brimming with remarkable individual and institutional efforts that deserve recognition and celebration.
Al Gergawi remarked that the initiative acts as a practical appeal to counter despair and negativity by highlighting the positive aspects of Arab communities. He noted that it emphasizes efforts aimed at alleviating suffering among the sick, needy, orphaned, and unemployed. By inviting nominations from individuals, teams, or organizations committed to improving local living conditions, the Hope Makers initiative has received over 300,000 nominations in its first four editions, thereby promoting optimism and inspiring hope across the region.
Building on previous successes
Al Gergawi highlighted that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s call for the 2024 Arab Hope Makers builds upon the initiative’s achievements, reinforcing its mission to encourage giving and generosity while showcasing impactful humanitarian efforts across the Arab world.
Seeking innovative projects and initiatives
Additionally, the Hope Makers initiative operates under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI). It seeks individuals and organizations throughout the Arab world and beyond. The focus is on those with impactful projects, programs, campaigns, or innovative initiatives. Moreover, these efforts should improve lives and alleviate suffering within communities. They should enhance social, economic, cultural, or educational conditions. In addition, they should tackle local challenges—all on a voluntary, non-profit basis.
Recognizing and rewarding hope makers
Also, nominations for the Hope Makers initiative can be submitted by individuals or by others who recognize deserving candidates. The winning Hope Maker is awarded AED1 million. This award is in appreciation of their humanitarian contributions. It also supports the advancement of their projects.
Furthermore, applications for the fifth edition are currently being accepted via arabhopemakers.com. The initiative aims to gather tens of thousands of stories of hope from across the Arab world. It spotlights the individuals behind these commendable projects and programs. Additionally, it celebrates their efforts widely.
Read more | Celebrating Arab Hope Makers: Sheikh Mohammed awards 4 philanthropists AED1 million each
What sparked the launch of the Hope Makers initiative in 2017?
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum first launched the Hope Makers initiative in 2017. H.H. further did this with a creative advertisement on his official social media channels. The announcement offered a position for a Hope Maker with a reward of AED1 million. Additionally, this announcement generated a remarkable response, attracting over 65,000 submissions from individuals, volunteer groups, and humanitarian and community organizations across the Arab world, far surpassing the initiative’s initial goal of 20,000 submissions.
In its fourth season, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the four finalists of the Arab Hope Makers initiative: Tala Al Khalil (Iraq), who received the most votes, alongside Mohamed Al Najjar (Iraq), Amine Imnir (Morocco), and Fathiya Al Mahmoud (Egypt), selected from over 58,000 nominees. Moreover, the projects of the Hope Makers varied, with community service initiatives leading the way, followed by humanitarian aid and relief, education, youth empowerment, inspiring stories, health, and culture and arts.
Furthermore, the Arab Hope Makers initiative aims to recognize individuals with noble initiatives in the Arab world, inspiring youth towards positive action and combating negativity.
