REWARDS FOR THE MOST DEDICATED AND SELFLESS
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed honours nine extraordinary people for their contributions to the community, presenting them with Abu Dhabi Award trophies and medals. Shireena Al Nowais reports
On Monday, nine extraordinary individuals were rewarded for their contributions to building and supporting the community in Abu Dhabi.
The ceremony’s participants joined the nation in commemorating 2018 as the Year of Zayed in recognition and gratitude of the legacy, values and principles of the nation’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.
At a Sea Palace barza, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, honoured the award recipients and congratulated them for inspiring selfless generosity and kindness, and presented them with Abu Dhabi Award trophies and medals.
Dr Jayanti Maitra
Dr Jayanti Maitra (below) dedicated more than three decades to documenting the history of the UAE and its Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed.
After poring over hundreds of thousands of texts, Dr Maitra says she knows the Founding Father in every sense: from his ancestry to his favourite hobby.
“I worshipped him,” she says. The historian and university professor moved to the UAE from India in the 1980s and soon realised that, other than the British, no one was documenting the country’s culture.
In 1996, she joined the National Archives and was asked to write about Abu Dhabi’s history. Her books are a reliable resource for UAE history.
“I had to go through thousands of texts and do so much research,” Dr Maitra says.
Over the years, and partially because of her efforts, the National Archives has collected thousands of records related to the history and heritage of the region.
Fatima Al Kaabi
At the age of 10, Fatima Al Kaabi (below) bought her first aerobotics kit and showed her friends how to assemble it.
Now 16, she has shown thousands of pupils, in 22 schools, how important it is to innovate.
“I started by doing my own workshops in school and then I was asked to go to other schools,” Fatima says.
This inspired her to become a licensed trainer.
“If it is a workshop for younger pupils I’ll teach them about circuits and if it is older pupils then it can be anything, like creating your own robot,” says the Grade 11 pupil. The workshops are free.
“I know how successful they are depending on how many pupils are inspired to create something after the workshop.”
Fatima’s latest invention is a robot that can attend school on behalf of children too ill to physically do so.
Dr Azzam Al Zoebie
One of the most heart-warming moments during the ceremony came when Lama Al Zoebie collected the award on behalf of her late father, Dr Azzam Al Zoebie.
“It was too hard for me to go,” says his wife, Talla Al Habian.
Few in the health sector do not know of Dr Al Zoebie. His patients called him father and would run up to hug him whenever they saw him.
He dedicated his life to treating paediatric cancer patients, but died in May last year of the same disease.
“He died of colon cancer but even in his last hours, all he cared about was his patients,” Ms Al Habian says.
His wife says the award has helped to alleviate her grief.
“It helped to know that he was appreciated. I know that he is happy and in a better place,” she says.
Dr Zoebie set up the paediatric oncology and haematology department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
Sheikh Mubarak Al Mansoori
If you needed a house, or were a widow in desperate need of assistance during the days of Sheikh Zayed, you knew Sheikh Mubarak Al Mansoori.
He used his direct access to the Founding Father to help Emiratis and was so close to him that he was given the title Sheikh.
“My father always helped others. He was always sitting with Sheikh Zayed at the majlis asking him for help on behalf of Emiratis who couldn’t reach the president,” says his son Qarran.
Qarran recalled the day his father suggested to Sheikh Zayed the establishment of the Zakat Fund.
“They were at the majlis and my father told Sheikh Zayed that there were many people in need so why not establish the Zakat Fund – a charity dedicated to helping others. In its first year the fund had Dh7 million,” he said.
Sheikh Mubarak says: “The awards mean a lot to me, especially because it is during the Year of Zayed. It was a privilege to be his companion and to contribute in any way.”
Farah Al Qaissieh
Speaking to Farah Al Qaissieh, 28, you would never guess that she was once ridiculed for stuttering. Her exuberant character and beaming smile when receiving the Abu Dhabi Award gives no indication that she once shied away from being in public.
“Before I started university, I decided that this not the persona I wanted to take to university. I decided to face my fears and the more I did, the less I stuttered,” she says.
Mrs Al Qaissieh (above) started the first support group for people who stutter. It now has more than 800 members. This led to a short 15-minute film that featured at the Cannes Film Festival. “This award isn’t for me. It is not just for Farah. It for every person who stutters and for everyone who supported us,” she says.
Dr George Mathew
Dr George Mathew (below), who is known as Matyous, was one of the first doctors to come to Abu Dhabi five decades ago – and the first to work in a public hospital in Al Ain.
He witnessed the beginning of modern medicine in the UAE and contributed significantly to the advancement of healthcare services in the emirate.
Dr Mathew, born in Kerala in 1940, moved to Abu Dhabi in 1967, when he began his career as a general practitioner in Al Ain.
Through the 50 years since, Dr
Mathew has held several positions where he made significant contributions to promote modern medical culture. He also played a major role in training healthcare staff.
Earning the affection and confidence of all who knew him, Dr Mathew is now a valuable source of medical information to the Al Ain community.
Ibrahim Al Abed
Ibrahim Al Abed (below), adviser to the National Media Council, is one of the most prominent figures in the country’s media sector.
Dr Al Abed founded the Emirates News Agency (Wam) in 1977. Under his leadership, Wam earned numerous accolades. His dedication throughout the past 40 years played a major role in promoting the UAE.
He supervised editing of the UAE Annual Book and other publications issued by its Foreign Media Department.
Dr Al Abed continues to be an invaluable mentor and a resource to generations who benefit from his support and extensive experience.
Ali Al Ahbabi
Born in Al Ain in 1930, Ali Al Ahbabi is known for his passion for education and extensive support of national initiatives.
In 2008, Mr Al Ahbabi received the Ideal Parent award from the Education and Knowledge Department, formerly known as Al Ain Educational Zone.
He also chaired the Parents Council at Zayed Secondary School in Al Ain for nearly 10 years.
Always keen to play a role in building an educated society capable of serving this country, in 2006, Mr Al Ahbabi (above) established the Ibn Battuta International Training Centre.
In 2016, this centre dedicated 150 places to disabled people. He is currently its honorary president.
Theban Al Mheiri
Theban Al Mheiri (below) is among the first Emiratis to take part in sports for disabled people.
He was left paralysed after a car accident in 1994 injured his spine. But Mr Al Mheiri achieved significant sporting success by developing the UAE Paralympic team, actively serving the Abu Dhabi community.
As well as his role as an administrator at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, Mr Al Mheiri serves as secretary of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation. He also played a central role in the Al Ain Club for the Disabled between 1999 and 2010.
Mr Al Mheiri’s contributions extend beyond sports, playing a key part in projects aimed at creating an inclusive society, advocating for the integration of people with special needs.