Meet the Arab Hope Makers crowned in Dubai with Dh3 million prizes
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi, Hend Alhajri and Abderrahmane Rais share top honours
DUBAI – Three extraordinary humanitarians from Morocco and Kuwait have been named winners of the sixth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative, one of the largest platforms in the Arab world dedicated to recognising voluntary and non-profit work.
Honoured in Dubai in the presence of senior leaders, the winners were awarded a total of Dh3 million, with each receiving Dh1 million in recognition of their sustained efforts to uplift vulnerable communities. Selected from 15,800 participants, they represent years of grassroots action, innovation and personal commitment.
From life-changing surgeries for children born with facial deformities, to building a home for orphaned siblings, to relieving the debts of widows in remote villages, their initiatives span healthcare, social welfare and community empowerment.
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi
Moroccan humanitarian Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi was crowned the Arab Hope Maker after receiving the highest number of public votes during the closing ceremony held at the Coca-Cola Arena.
Her journey began in 1999 when she founded Operation Smile, a charitable foundation dedicated to providing free, comprehensive medical care to children born with cleft lips and palates. What started as a single initiative has grown into a nationwide medical network delivering long-term treatment from birth through to adulthood.
Operation Smile currently operates three specialised medical centres in Casablanca, El Jadida and Oujda. A fourth centre is nearing completion in Marrakech, expanding the foundation’s reach across Morocco.
In addition to its permanent facilities, the organisation conducts mobile medical missions to underserved regions. To date, it has carried out 164 missions across 30 cities. Each five-day mission screens between 100 and 150 patients and performs an average of 90 surgeries.
Supported by more than 650 volunteers from across the country, Operation Smile has performed over 19,000 surgeries since its inception. It has also provided dental care services to more than 120,000 individuals.
The foundation’s model combines surgical intervention with follow-up care, speech therapy and dental services, ensuring that children receive holistic treatment rather than one-off procedures. Over nearly three decades, Fouzia’s work has helped thousands of families access specialised healthcare that would otherwise have remained beyond reach.
Hend Alhajri
Kuwaiti humanitarian Hend Alhajri was named one of the top three winners for her initiative Fatima House, a residence she established in Zanzibar to prevent orphaned siblings from being separated.
Her journey began while volunteering as a teacher in Tanzania. Many of her students were orphans living in fragile housing conditions. During the rainy season, Hend witnessed homes collapsing, forcing children to move in with extended families who were already struggling financially.
Determined to create a stable alternative, she purchased a plot of land and built a large residence, naming it Fatima House. The facility was designed to provide shelter, security and continuity for children who had lost their parents.
Six years later, Fatima House has become home to 47 children, including 20 girls and 27 boys. Beyond accommodation, it offers structured daily care, education support and a safe environment where siblings can remain together.
Hend resides in Zanzibar alongside the children and oversees every aspect of the home’s operations. Her involvement extends from managing daily routines to ensuring educational progress and emotional wellbeing.
The initiative addresses more than housing needs. By maintaining family unity and providing long-term support, Fatima House seeks to equip children with stability and confidence to pursue education and future opportunities.
Abderrahmane Rais
Moroccan content creator Abderrahmane Rais was also honoured as a winner for his humanitarian initiative Suroor, which focuses on supporting widows and women in need across Morocco.
Abderrahmane travels to remote rural villages that are often beyond the reach of traditional aid networks. There, he works directly with local grocery stores to settle the outstanding debts of widows who struggle to provide for their families.
Serving as a bridge between donors and beneficiaries, he collects anonymous contributions and channels them to those most in need. His approach prioritises dignity. While he documents his journeys on YouTube to encourage a culture of solidarity and transparency, he does not reveal the faces of recipients.
To date, his debt-relief efforts have assisted more than 7,000 people. His broader humanitarian projects include digging wells, constructing homes and sponsoring Umrah trips for beneficiaries.
Collectively, his initiatives have supported more than 20,000 individuals, reflecting a model that combines digital outreach with on-the-ground assistance in underserved communities.
Arab Hope Makers
The Arab Hope Makers initiative was launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
The inaugural edition was announced through a creative social media post offering a “job” as a Hope Maker with a reward of Dh1 million. The campaign drew more than 65,000 submissions, exceeding the initial target of 20,000 entries.
Over six editions, the initiative has documented more than 335,000 inspiring stories from across the Arab world. It focuses on individuals and organisations whose voluntary, non-profit projects demonstrably improve lives, alleviate hardship or address pressing community challenges.
Participation is limited to initiatives that operate without financial gain, reinforcing the platform’s emphasis on genuine service and impact. Winners are selected through a combination of evaluation and public voting during the final ceremony.
The fifth edition attracted over 26,000 nominations within one month and concluded with the crowning of Ahmed Zainoun from Morocco, recognised for his efforts to treat children suffering from Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare genetic disorder often referred to as “Children of the Moon”. In that edition, the total prize purse was also expanded to Dh3 million, with the two other finalists receiving Dh1 million each.