Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum presents the Media Personality of the Year Award to Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, founder and chairman of the MBC Group, at the Arab Media Forum awards ceremony in Dubai on Wednesday.

Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, founder and chairman of the MBC Group, has won the prestigious Media Personality of the Year award for his efforts to promote and develop the Arab media industry over the past 25 years.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, presented the award to Sheikh Waleed at the culmination of the 14th Arab Media Forum (AMF) in Dubai on Wednesday.

The coveted award marks Sheikh Waleed’s quarter century of achievements in the industry, considered one of the most dynamic and creative sectors, which includes his leading position as trustee of the biggest private Arab media group.

In a statement at the awards ceremony, Sheikh Waleed paid tribute to the gathering. “The Arab Media Forum in Dubai is a major part of a leading professional platform,” he said.

Sheikh Waleed said that Dubai was a “majestic, modern and leading emirate led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, which is in the heart of the United Arab Emirates, and is known for its spirit of leadership, teamwork and sharp vision.”

“The award’s importance comes as we are on the cusp of a phase to rearrange priorities so that media outlets and various means of communication keep pace with events, seek to deliver a complete picture to audiences, and thus help shape public opinion,” he said.

“The challenge lies in the extent to which we can benefit from the technology and information revolution, to enhance the media and cultural renaissance of our nation, economies and societies,” he said.

“I offer this Media Personality of the Year award — which I proudly and honorably receive from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum — to all employees in the Arab media sector in general, and to all MBC Group employees in particular and who, each from their own platform over 25 years, contributed to upgrading the Arab media to world-class status.”

Those present at the ceremony included Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai; Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Gargawi, minister for Cabinet affairs; Mona Ghanem Al-Marri, secretary-general of the Arab Journalism Award and chairperson of the organizing committee of the AMF; and several senior officials and Arab journalists.

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