(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))
DUBAI, 10th December 2018 (WAM) - Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the ability of Arab youth to adapt to the rapid changes of the current era and assimilate new technologies so that they can transform themselves from technology consumers to influencers. He urged youth to use social media to serve their communities, and participate actively in advancing the development and progress of Arab societies.
Addressing social media influencers at the Arab Social Media Influencers Awards ceremony held in Dubai today, His Highness said: "The success of nations is built on optimism, hope and a positive vision for the future backed by planning and hard work. You have a responsibility towards your communities. We rely on you to be a role model for the community and to promote tolerance and openness in today's fast-paced age."
His Highness highlighted the importance of dialogue, which he said is a key ideal and one of the pillars on which the UAE's union was forged. The rulers have translated this ideal into reality through Majlises in the past, and social media engagement in the present. In a culturally diverse country, the rulers created a unique model for effective communication with different stakeholders, which has provided a positive impetus to the UAE's development journey.
His Highness's remarks came as he attended the Arab Social Media Influencers Awards ceremony in the presence of Deputy Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Award ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 3rd Arab Social Media Influencers Summit (ASMIS), organised by the Dubai Press Club today at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Also attending the Awards ceremony were Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with a number of social media influencers from across the Arab world.
Winners honoured at the Award ceremony included Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, wife of King Abdullah II of Jordan, who was named the Personality of the Year for her efforts to promote positive change through social media in the fields of humanitarian work and philanthropy, in Jordan as well as regionally and internationally.
Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelkader Messahel was named the ‘Political Personality of the Year' for using social media to effectively conduct public diplomacy in three different languages.
The Representative of His Majesty the King of Bahrain for Charity and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, received the Award in the ‘Youth Category' (corporate) on behalf of Bahrain's Supreme Council of Youth and Sports.
Head of the Municipality and Planning Department Ajman Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, was honoured with the award in the ‘Youth Category' (individual) for his positive interaction with youth and his contributions to encouraging community participation.
HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Vice-President for Development and Planning at the Saudi Arabian General Sports Authority, won the award in the ‘Sports Category' for her efforts to promote sports and sports programmes using social media.
Among the awards given to corporates, Dubai Police was named the winner in the ‘Safety and Security Category'. Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri received the award on behalf of Dubai Police for its effective use of social media.
HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed Al Saud, Secretary General and Member of the Board of Trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies received the award in the ‘Community Category' on behalf of Alwaleed Philanthropies.
Emirati media personality Munther Al Muzakki of Abu Dhabi Sports Channel won the award in the ‘Community Service Category", while Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre won the award in the ‘Tolerance Category'. Saudi media personality Abdulrahman Al Rashid was named the winner in the ‘Media Category' for being one of the most active social media influencers in the field of media. Al Arabiya TV Channel received the award in the ‘Corporate Media Category'.
Among other corporate recognitions, Oman Tourism Ministry won the award in the ‘Government Sector Category', Emirates Policy Center in the "Political Category", Jordan Tourism Board in the ‘Tourism Category'; Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in the ‘Education Category'; Storytel Arabia in the ‘Art and Culture Category; Argaam Business Info in the ‘Business Category'; Boutiqaat in the ‘Entrepreneurial Category'; FilGoal in the ‘Sports Category'; Tech Voice in the ‘Technology Category'; Children's Cancer Hospital, Egypt in the ‘Healthcare Category'; ArabiaWeather in the ‘Environment Category; and Telfaz11 in the ‘Entertainment Category'.
Other individual winners included Egyptian actor Mohamed Henedi who won in the ‘Popular Vote Category'; Bahraini Ahmed Cherif in the ‘Entertainment Category'; Dr Ahmed Abdulmalik in the ‘Healthcare Category'; Abdullah Al Sabei in the ‘Technology Category'; Huda Kattan in the ‘Entrepreneurial Category'; Joe Hawa in the ‘Business Category'; Nadine Njeim in the ‘Art and Culture Category' and Anas Iskandar in the ‘Tourism Category'.
WAM/Hassan Bashir
MENAFN1112201800610000ID1097813324
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