Latifa bint Mohammed Meets 2024 Arab Great Minds Award Winners in Art & Architecture

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met with Jordanian architect Sahel Al Hayari and Iraqi artist Dia Al-Azzawi. Sahel Al Hayari won the 2024 Great Arab Minds Award for Architecture and Design, and Dia Al-Azzawi won the award in the Literature and Arts category.

The meeting happened during the award ceremony for the Great Arab Minds initiative. This programme was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Great Arab Minds Awards recognize Arab thinkers, scientists, and creators in six areas:

Natural sciences
Engineering and technology
Medicine
Architecture and design
Economics
Literature and arts
This initiative highlights talented Arabs who inspire the younger generation. It aims to support creative ideas that strengthen the Arab region’s global role in culture, science, and knowledge.

Her Highness said the initiative is a meaningful way to appreciate the creative community, which is a key part of the Arab region’s culture. The awards celebrate the great achievements of Arab talents and their contributions to innovation. She also said the awards reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is dedicated to honouring Arab minds that are shaping a better future.

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She added: “Investing in people is at the heart of building strong societies. The Great Arab Minds Awards show how important it is to support individuals who enrich our cultural identity. These awards also show Dubai’s dedication to encouraging talent and celebrating achievements in different fields.”

During the meeting, Her Highness spoke about how design, literature, and art are key to building the creative economy. She praised Sahel Al Hayari and Dia Al-Azzawi for their groundbreaking work. She noted that their unique ideas are transforming their fields and showcasing the depth of Arab culture and history. Their work reimagines heritage in new and meaningful ways, adding value to the Arab creative scene and showing the region’s great potential.

Her Highness was joined by several prominent figures from the fields of art, culture, and design. Notable attendees included:

His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library
Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority
Benedetta Ghione, CEO of Art Dubai
Isobel Abulhoul, Board Member of the Emirates Literature Foundation
Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of Emirates Literature Foundation and Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
Professor Hashim Sarkis, Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT
Artist Dr. Najat Makki
Artist Faisal Abdulqader
Artist Faouzi Khlifi
Sahel Al Hayari is known for his innovative designs that blend tradition and modernity. He uses local crafts in his projects to create unique architectural styles. His work, such as the Jordanian Archaeological Museum and the Darat Al Funun exhibition, has redefined architecture in the region by combining heritage with contemporary ideas.

Dia Al-Azzawi is a pioneer of Arab and international art. He is famous for his unique artistic style called “linear compositions,” which combines abstract forms with cultural symbols. His work, which includes painting, sculpture, and graphic arts, explores deep human themes. His contributions have greatly influenced the art world and brought global attention to Arab creativity.