The Arab Women of the Year awards ceremony on December 1, 2016 in London was a true testament to the drive and the tenacity of the Arab women from across the Middle East.
Individually, the winners had their unique tales, but a shared perseverance and remarkable dedication to their respective fields like law, leadership, science, community, business, sport, music, art and education, bound them together.
The guest roster for the evening, held at Knightsbridge’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel, comprised of diplomats, Gulf monarchs, renowned business authorities and British politicians.
The awards evening was orchestrated and hosted by Omar Bdour, Chief Executive of the Arab Women of the Year Awards and Prof. Aldwyn Cooper, CEO and Vice Chancellor of Regents University London doubled as the awards chairman.
During the momentous awards evening, the acceptance speeches of the winners, when perceived between the lines, were quite heartening. This is exemplified by the moving speech delivered by the recipient of the Achievement in Social Leadership Award, Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel. Always committed to positive change, she fervently campaigns for women’s rights, community betterment and youth empowerment in Saudi Arabia.
In detailing an episode from her early life in her acceptance speech, she fondly mentioned her mother’s teachings and praised her fight to succeed. The princess was reprimanded for a school grade that failed to meet her mother’s expectations. Even though she attempted to downplay the incident, her mother encouraged her to strive for knowledge because that would be her “shield” in the face of hardships. She later realized the depth of her mother’s words as her own life unfolded.
Princess Ameerah highlighted her mother’s sacrifices. Wed at a tender age of 15 and divorced by 22, her mother resolved to raise her offspring to the best of her ability. The princess thanked her mother for her endless support and shared her personal resolve of making her educational shield stronger despite criticisms.
Recognising talent and dedication indiscriminatorily, the award ceremony also remembered the late Ameera BinKaram with a Special Award. BinKaram, an advocate for Arab women’s empowerment in social, economic and professional realms, had lost her life tragically in an October house fire. On her behalf, UAE Ambassador to the UK Sulaiman Hamid Al-Mazrouei honored her commitment and appreciated the gesture to remember BinKaram.
Issues and conflicts plaguing the Middle East came into the spotlight as Taghreed Hikmat, the recipient of Achievement in International Law award, emphasized on peace, believing it to be the need of the hour.
Emann Ayad, the TV Presenter Award winner, reflected a similar sentiment. Based in Doha, Qatar, with Al Jazeera Network for almost two decades, she wished to report on an era of peace and unity dominating the Arab world.
Muzoon Almellehan, the winner of the Young Education Activist award and a Syrian refugee herself, is a stellar example of dream-driven perseverance. She showed commendable spirit to spearhead a campaign about the importance of education in the Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan.
Lord Purvis of Tweed, a member of the International Relations Committee at the House of Lords, acknowledged a Syrian female peace group for their relentless dedication towards peace and reconciliation.
An array of varied talents like Jannat Aljumily, Sheikha Souad Al-Sabah, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch, Latifa Al-Tunisa, Dr. Nashwa Al-Ruwaini, Sawsan Al-Sha’er, Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, and Hassiba Boulmerka were felicitated at the ceremony.
This grand event was endorsed by organizations like the Arab British Business Association, Regent’s University London, Miller Harris, London & Partners, Y Asset Management, Qatar Charity UK, Bicester Village, Watches of Switzerland, and JLL.
