Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

The International Institute for Tolerance (IIT), Dubai, invites entries for the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award, which will be awarded to five individuals or institutions in February 2020. Each recipient will receive a cash award of Dhs1 million. The entries will be accepted till Dec.31.

Launched earlier by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Award aligns with the UAE’s efforts to honor the people who help strengthen the value of tolerance as a key pillar of dialogue and coexistence among the people of the world.

“We announce today the start of competitions to pick winners for the first edition of the Award that includes a collective cash prize of Dhs5 million,” said IIT Managing Director Dr Hamad Al Shaikh Ahmad Al Shaibani.

To be given every two years, the award aims to honour individuals and entities that have made outstanding contributions to strengthening the value of tolerance and to shaping a new generation of leaders whose capabilities, communication skills and scientific and community engagement are developed through carefully chosen programmes.

Making the announcement at a media briefing in Dubai on Sunday, Al Shaibani said that the Award is the first global initiative of its kind that seeks to promote the value of tolerance that the UAE holds dear, and widen the scope for openness and cross-cultural exchange. Launching this Award in the UAE’s Year of Tolerance is particularly significant.

He also pointed out that the Award establishes a new global approach and precedent in promoting tolerance as a key value in uniting all human beings and shaping a more cohesive global society that is based on love and acceptance of the differences between people.

Major General Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansoori, Secretary General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award, said that tis international award celebrates achievements that promote tolerance in the areas of human intellect, culture and art, in addition to honouring individuals and entities across five categories – Human thought, Literary creativity, Arts, Youth projects, and New media.

Nominations for the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award are to be submitted to the Technical Advisory Committee formed by IIT’s Board of Trustees for its review. The Committee will then forward the submissions with its recommendations to the Arbitration Committee.

Al Mansoori said that the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award is open to all candidates representing all sectors within the UAE and beyond. Anyone can submit nominations with proof points where applicable through the Award website. Individuals that are recommended by eminent personalities from within their society can also participate in this Award.

Outlining the conditions and criteria for the nominations, he said that applications for the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award in the UAE should be submitted on a specific form available for this purpose on the website. A brief summary of the applicant’s CV and a report of his or her achievements, initiatives and proposals in any field across the categories of the Award should be attached to the Award application.

The Award also aims to encourage entrepreneurship and excellence in establishing tolerance norms both at the national and international levels, in addition to stimulating interfaith dialogue and portraying the true image of Islam as a religion of tolerance.

Individuals and entities with outstanding achievements in promoting tolerance worldwide can be nominated for the first-of-its-kind award that celebrates the intrinsic value of tolerance and seeks to highlight the importance of harmonious coexistence between cultures and communities.  Nominations can be made by registering on the Award website, in accordance with the criteria and conditions approved by the Award’s Board of Trustees, that reflect the highest standards of accuracy, transparency and integrity.

Nominations for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Tolerance Award can be submitted through its website www.mbrtawards.ae.