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s a military man, HE Brigadier Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansoori has been there, done that. “Until the year 2000, I was with the Special Forces of the UAE. I have been to Kuwait and Somalia. I have been there in Kosovo. I have seen a lot in my time,” he says, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of the despair that war brings. He then became part of the Dubai Police and consequently, the secretary general of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace (MRAWP), which is UAE’s global initiative in line with the vision of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for a peaceful world. The International Peace Institute in Manama, an independent, international non-profit organisation, recently hosted His Excellency to disseminate awareness about the award. The driving mission of the MRAWP is to turn the spotlight on Islam’s teachings of peace and to highlight that the religion upholds the values of harmony, tolerance and moderation. Established by a UAE Decree in the year 2011, it aims to enable the diverse cultures of the planet to join hands in unity and strengthen ties between the world’s nations. The MWARP has set out to achieve its mission statement – to nurture, encourage and honour contributions to world peace, demonstrating the tolerance of Islam, and affirming Dubai’s central status for harmony and coexistence among people and nations. Based on these ideals, the award will recognise individuals and organisations that have left their mark in the world’s history with their humanitarian efforts. HE Brigadier Al Mansoori tells us that Dubai has always been inclined towards the promulgation of world peace. “We started with the Dubai International Peace Convention in 2010,” he says. “It is a three-day event that takes place every two years.” The convention hosts speakers from all over the world and seeks to bring people from all walks of life and various faiths onto the same page of peace. The upcoming Peace Award endeavours to recognise those individuals that make outstanding contributions to world peace. Nominees will be evaluated according to world-class standards, to ensure credibility and motivate higher accomplishments. HE Brigadier Al Mansoori informs us that the first MRAWP will be bestowed on the most deserving nominee on October 17, 2016 at the newly opened Dubai Opera. Speaking about the selection process, he states: “We don’t believe www.bahrainthismonth.com
CHAMPIONING FOR PEACE BEHNAZ SANJANA At a time when many parts of the planet are struck with strife, the UAE’s HE Brigadier Ahmad Khalfan Al Mansoori, has been out and about garnering attention towards his country’s global peace initiative.
HE Brigadier Ahmad Khalfan Al Mansoori
in the idea that people need to apply for this prize. The nominees are selected by a sizeable committee consisting of intellectuals from Europe, Japan, India and many other nations besides those from the UAE. Anybody who has made a difference can be selected. “This year there will be only one award. But the next time onward, we will have special categories for women and children as well.” When asked about the underlying purpose of this global project, he says, “We need something
that promotes peace, really. Look around you. Where is the peace? We need the peace.” He also believes that this is a good way to draw the world’s attention to the efforts that the Middle East is taking to promote harmony. The UAE aims for the award to acquire as much popularity and respect as the Nobel Peace Prize. “We are not in a competition with the Nobel Prize, but yes, we should be better than them soon,” he says, echoing the ambitious ideals of the award. June 2016 45