Sheikh Mohammed launches new award to celebrate exceptional achievements

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, has announced Law No.12 of 2024. It will recognize those who make significant contributions to charitable, humanitarian, and voluntary work or have notable achievements in culture, sports, arts, and science.

According to the new law, carves, medals, badges, and orders can be granted to individuals, institutions, and companies. The awards will be given by patent from the Sheikh Mohammed or designated authorities on his behalf on national occasions, official celebrations, as well as during special domestic and international visits.

The eligibility criteria, along with the classification of awards, will be established by the General Secretariat of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Medals within Sheikh Mohammed’s Executive Office. The law will come into effect after publication in the Official Gazette.

Law No.12 of 2024 aims to encourage people to provide continuous support in humanitarian, scientific, and cultural fields, making a significant difference in society. It also highlights Sheikh Mohammed's dedication to recognizing those whose efforts made a profound impact and promoting excellence in these sectors.

Sheikh MohammedShutterstock

Recently, the UAE announced that individuals who have dedicated at least five years or a total of 500 hours to voluntary humanitarian work in a registered charity could be eligible for a golden visa. This type of residency permit allows one to live, work, and study in the UAE for five to 10 years without support from a national sponsor.

In 2021, Sheikh Mohammed announced golden visas for charity and humanitarian aid workers as well in order to recognize their efforts and sacrifices.

He said, “Aid workers are ambassadors of the UAE and role models instilling pride in us all. Giving is embedded in the fabric of Emirati society and culture, and we aspire to be the most vibrant humanitarian destination in the next fifty years. The UAE has always led impactful humanitarian initiatives and empowered those implementing them, and in the year of the UAE’s Golden Jubilee, it aspires to become a world leader of humanitarian efforts in the next five decades.”