Sheikh Hamdan crowns Arab Hope Maker 2026, awards Dh3 million in Dubai ceremony
Initiative has showcased 335,000 inspiring stories since 2017
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, honoured the winners of the sixth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative at a ceremony in Dubai on Sunday.
In the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan conferred the title of Arab Hope Maker on Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi from Morocco, awarding her a cash prize of Dh1 million.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan also directed that the two other finalists, Hend Alhajri from Kuwait and Abderrahmane Rais from Morocco, be honoured with Dh1 million each. The total prize value awarded during the sixth edition reached Dh3 million.
The closing ceremony was held at the Coca-Cola Arena, bringing together senior officials, dignitaries and supporters of humanitarian initiatives from across the region.
Public vote winner
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi earned the top honour after receiving the highest number of votes during the ceremony, in recognition of her initiative, Operation Smile. She emerged as the ultimate winner from a field of 15,800 participants.
The Arab Hope Makers initiative remains the largest in the Arab world dedicated to honouring individuals who make a tangible difference in the lives of others through voluntary and non-profit work.
Congratulating the winners and all participants, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan praised their dedication to creating lasting positive impact within their communities and beyond.
“Congratulations for possessing this energy to give and dedicate yourselves to the service of others. Congratulations for having this impactful humanitarian presence, which is shaping both the present and future of our nations,” he said.
He added that success and the pursuit of great goals are inseparable from hope, noting that every challenge overcome and every milestone achieved begins with a spark of belief in possibility. He affirmed that the UAE remains committed to nurturing hope and supporting initiatives aimed at uplifting humanity.
Among those attending the ceremony were Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee; and Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Fostering optimism
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, said the Arab Hope Makers initiative reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote optimism and champion projects that create meaningful change across Arab societies.
Al Gergawi said that over six editions, the initiative has captured more than 335,000 inspiring stories, revealing a deep-rooted passion for humanitarian and volunteer work throughout the Arab world. He noted that the platform has broadened opportunities for volunteering and philanthropy by recognising selfless acts carried out without seeking publicity or financial gain.
He said the initiative has encouraged participants to transform ideas into ambitious, sustainable projects that improve lives and strengthen communities. The growing response since its launch in 2017 demonstrates increasing interest in the Arab Hope Maker title and the values it represents.
The first edition was announced through a creative social media post by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed offering a “job” as a Hope Maker with a reward of Dh1 million. The call generated more than 65,000 submissions from individuals, volunteer groups and humanitarian organisations across the Arab world, surpassing the original target of 20,000.
Operation Smile
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi founded Operation Smile in 1999 to provide comprehensive, free-of-charge medical care for children born with cleft lips and palates. Her foundation offers support from birth through to adulthood.
The organisation operates three specialised medical centres in Casablanca, El Jadida and Oujda, with a fourth centre nearing completion in Marrakech. It has conducted 164 mobile medical missions across 30 cities in Morocco.
During these five-day missions, medical teams screen between 100 and 150 cases and perform an average of 90 surgeries. Since its inception, and supported by more than 650 volunteers from across Morocco, Operation Smile has performed over 19,000 surgeries and provided dental care services to more than 120,000 individuals.
Her work addresses both immediate surgical needs and long-term medical follow-up, ensuring children born with facial deformities receive sustained care and improved quality of life.
Fatima House
Finalist Hend Alhajri began her humanitarian journey while volunteering as a teacher in Tanzania. Many of her students were orphans, and she regularly visited their homes in Zanzibar to provide support.
During the rainy season, she witnessed homes collapsing, resulting in siblings being separated and sent to live with different families who were already struggling below the poverty line. In response, she purchased land and built a large residence named Fatima House to prevent families from fragmenting.
Six years on, Fatima House is home to 47 children, including 20 girls and 27 boys. The residence provides shelter, education, stability and structured daily care. Hend lives in Zanzibar alongside the children and personally oversees their wellbeing, education and daily routines.
The initiative aims not only to provide accommodation but also to ensure long-term security, dignity and opportunity for vulnerable children.
Suroor initiative
Abderrahmane Rais, another finalist, is widely associated with Suroor, a humanitarian initiative supporting widows and women in need across Morocco.
As a content creator, Abderrahmane travels to remote rural villages often overlooked by traditional aid networks. He visits local grocery stores to settle outstanding debts incurred by widows struggling to support their families.
Acting as a conduit for anonymous donations, he ensures funds reach the most vulnerable communities while protecting recipients’ dignity. Although he documents his journeys on YouTube to encourage solidarity and transparency, he does not reveal the faces of beneficiaries.
His debt-relief efforts have assisted more than 7,000 individuals. Beyond financial assistance, he leads projects to dig wells, build homes and sponsor Umrah trips. Collectively, his initiatives have empowered over 20,000 beneficiaries.
Arab Hope Makers
The fifth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative attracted more than 26,000 nominations within a month. That edition concluded with the crowning of Ahmed Zainoun from Morocco as Arab Hope Maker after he received the highest number of public votes.
Zainoun was recognised for his efforts to treat children suffering from Xeroderma Pigmentosum, often referred to as “Children of the Moon”, a rare genetic disorder that causes extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet light. During that edition, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed directed that the two other finalists also receive Dh1 million each, raising the total prize purse to Dh3 million.
The Arab Hope Makers initiative continues to spotlight individuals and organisations across the Arab world and beyond who drive positive change through innovative projects, campaigns and programmes. Eligible initiatives must demonstrate measurable impact in alleviating suffering, improving social, economic, cultural or educational conditions, or addressing pressing local challenges, while remaining voluntary and non-profit in nature.
By amplifying the stories of these men and women through traditional and digital media, the initiative enhances their recognition within their communities and across the wider Arab world, reinforcing a culture that values generosity, resilience and sustained humanitarian action.