‘Art Creates Hope’ campaign launched
DUBAI: In its 4th season, The Arab Hope Makers initiative teamed up with the ET Arabic plaform, to launch “Art Creates Hope,” a campaign that aims to involve Arab celebrities and artists in various humanitarian projects and initiatives across the Arab world.
The aim is to promote the values of kindness, generosity, and hope among the people and to foster a positive culture in Arab societies.
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum crowned the 4 Arab Hope Makers finalists, awarding them a financial reward of Dhs1 million each.
Amidst a massive audience of 12,000 people, the closing ceremony at the Coca-cola Arena, Dubai, showcased the inspiring stories of the four Hope Makers finalists Tala Al Khalil from Iraq, Mohamed Al Najjar from Iraq, Fathiya Al Mahmoud from Egypt and Amine Imnir from Morocco.
37-year-old Dr Mohamed Al Najjar from Iraq lost his leg in 2014.
A fan of football since his childhood, he turned this tragedy into a driver of change and hope.
While studying for his PHD in England, he joined the Portsmouth football team for amputees, excelled and made a name for himself, winning the title of the club’s best player in 2019.
Upon returning to Iraq, he strived to recreate this experience in his home country, and managed to form a football team of amputees that went on to participate in international friendly matches, qualifying for the 2022 Amputee Football World Cup in Turkey just one year ater its formation.
From Morocco, the audience met Youtuber Amine Imnir, whose social media account “Faysboki” strives to improve living conditions for underprivileged Moroccans. Heading the AFTAS Society for Development and Solidarity, Amine has sponsored a number of humanitarian initiatives and aid campaigns in his country, documenting his efforts through his Faysboki TV channel to help spread the culture of humanitarian work and motivate others to join. AFTAS’S list of achievements includes distribution of over 1,000 solar panels, more than 4,500 food parcels to poor families including widows and orphans, financing 217 surgeries in 2023 and the planting of 2,800 fruiful trees.
Known as “the mother of orphans” or “Mama Fathiya,’ Egyptian hope maker Fathiya Al Mahmoud offers an inspiring example of selfless giving and nurturing hope.
Operating under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), the 4th edition of Hope Makers initiative atracted over 58,000 applications from across the region.