His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), honoured over 40 organisations and individuals who have been instrumental in driving the establishment of Al Ras Public Library by the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Held at Cultural & Scientific Association in Al Mamzar, the award ceremony saw attendance from Dubai’s foremost cultural personalities.

In all, the Authority honoured over 50 organisations and individuals for their unwavering support in driving the presence and growth of the various branches under the Dubai Public Library, and their role in strengthening the Emirate’s cultural fabric.

His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, said: “For fifty years, the Dubai Public Library has served as the cornerstone for community members to meet and exchange ideas, while driving intercultural dialogue. These individuals and organisations, all of whom we are honouring today, have been crucial in defining Dubai’s literary scene by lending unconditional support to ensure that the written word is forever preserved.

“Today marks a proud moment for Dubai; not only have we set the course for our future by winning the bid to host the World Expo 2020, but we underscored our values and traditions that have got us this far. These creative spaces will continue to serve as the incubator for our future generations who will drive the success of our country in the years to come.”

The honourees who were directly involved in the establishment of Al Ras Public Library included: His Excellency Juma Al Majid, Ali Bin Abdullah Al Owais; Sultan Ali Al Owais; Omran Bin Salem Al Owais; Ahmed Al Moussa; Mohammed Al Moussa; Murshed Al Oaseemi; Ali Al Oaseemi; Saif Bin Ahmed Al Ghurair; Eisa Saleh Al Gurg; Nasser Abdullatif Al Serkal; Mohammed Hadi Badri; Abdurrahman Arif; Omar Ali Haider; Ali Ibrahim Al Sayegh; Dr. Mandoodi; Ibrahim Hamid Obaidallah; Abdurahim Mohammed Ali; Mohammed and Obaid Al Mullah; Rahma Bin Abdullah Al Shamsi; Mohammed Sharif; Haji Mirza Al Dashti; Al Haj Nasser Anouhi; Mohammed Al Qaz; Rashid Bin Ahmed Bin Lootah; Obaid Bin Thani; Mir Hashem Khouri; Mohammed Abdulrazaq Bastaki; and Majid Al Futtaim.

His Highness awarded organisations for their role in establishing and promoting the libraries and strengthening the Emirate’s cultural landscape. The honourees included the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Establishment; Jamal Bin Huwairab Majlis and Library; Cultural & Scientific Association; British Council; and Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage.

The Authority also honoured a number of cultural personalities including His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr – Head of the UAE Federal National Council; Ibrahim Bu Milha; His Excellency Abdulghaffar Hussein; Al Reeh Omar Ibrahim; Otaiba Abullah Otaiba; Ahmed Amin Madani; and Kamal Hamza.

The ceremony flagged off with a film produced by Dubai Media Incorporated, which encompassed of images of the development of the library and testimonials from people who have seen its growth first-hand.

A number of organisations including Dubai Municipality, who managed the library from its inception until it was transferred under the aegis of Dubai Culture in 2009, was awarded, along with Dubai Media Incorporated, Al Bayan, and Al Serkal Group.

At the ceremony, Dubai Culture also unveiled a book, entitled Dubai’s Creative Horizons, written by Al Bayan and published by Al Serkal Group, on the establishment and evolution of Al Ras Public Library, and the role it played in energising the city’s cultural fabric. The book will be available at all eight branches of the Dubai Public Library.

The Dubai Public Library is regarded as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural fabric. It has facilitated the collection of, and public access to, Dubai’s literary heritage and collections, developing audiences by fostering an understanding and appreciation of literary culture, and encouraging access to these resources through efficient services and state-of-the-art technology. 

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