Five Exceptional Individuals and Institutions Honoured for Strengthening Family Bonds

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has recognised the inaugural winners of the UAE Year Of Award, celebrating their contributions to reinforcing community values and family cohesion across the Emirates.

The recognition of excellence in service to family and community took centre stage during the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, where His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, honoured five exceptional winners of the inaugural UAE Year Of Award. The ceremony reflected the nation’s steadfast commitment to celebrating individuals and institutions whose work strengthens the fabric of Emirati society.

The five recipients of this honour span individuals, families and organisations: the Salem Obaid Al Dhaheri Family, the Mohammed Yousuf Al Rais Family, the Community Development Authority in Dubai, Majid Al Futtaim Group and Meera Mubarak Al Ketbi. Each was selected for their meaningful contributions to family bonds and community values, embodying the essence of the UAE’s ‘Year of Family’ initiative.

Reflecting on the significance of this recognition, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that the family remains the fundamental pillar upon which society is built, maintaining its cohesion and stability. He emphasised that the award highlights inspiring models within society, reinforces a culture of giving and social responsibility, and encourages both individuals and institutions to pursue initiatives with sustainable, lasting impact. Such recognition, he noted, contributes to enhancing families’ quality of life and strengthening the values of solidarity and cohesion that bind members of society together.

The award itself, launched under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, operates on three foundational criteria: Sustainability, Impact and Inspiration. This framework ensures that the award celebrates contributions that create positive and enduring change, whilst encouraging widespread participation across society in support of national priorities. By highlighting these exceptional models, the award programme cultivates a broader culture of active engagement in the nation’s shared development journey.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, alongside numerous ministers and senior officials, underscoring the significance of this inaugural recognition across the Emirati leadership.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The UAE Year Of Award represents a deliberate strategic focus on values that have shaped Emirati identity and continue to drive social progress. By celebrating individuals and institutions that strengthen family bonds, the award programme reinforces the nation’s commitment to building generations that are conscious, cohesive and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the Emirates’ ongoing development. This recognition extends beyond ceremonial honour; it sets benchmarks for excellence in community service and encourages similar initiatives across all seven emirates.

For Abu Dhabi specifically, the award underscores the capital’s leadership in championing social cohesion and family stability as cornerstones of national prosperity. The presence of senior government figures at the ceremony, including officials from across the emirates, reflects the interconnected nature of these values across the UAE’s leadership structure and demonstrates how family strengthening initiatives align with the broader vision for sustainable national development that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has articulated.

Source: WAM