‘Abdee’ Award Honours Best Visual News Report

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation (SMC), along with members of the award’s jury comprising directors and deans of Sharjah’s universities, honoured the winners of ‘Abdee’ Award for best visual news reporting today (Sunday) at a special ceremony held at the University of Sharjah.

The aim of the award is to encourage creative media talent, develop media content and enhance the methods of visual reporting production innovatively.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi underlined that the cultural development experienced by the UAE is spearheaded by talented young people. Their contributions and innovations pave the path of creativity and excellence.

“Change starts only when we believe in our abilities to make a real difference, and we have all the potential and capabilities that qualify us to be the best,” said Sheikh Sultan.  

The winners of the awards’ nine categories hail from the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah. Maitha Ali Mohammed Al Kindi, along with her team: Hessa Jarsh Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Khawla Yousef Beshoo, Khawla Humaid Al Qaidi and Mariam Attiyah Radwan, occupied first place in the category of Most Integrated Artwork for her work titled ‘I Look Like Al Qasba’, receiving a cash prize of AED 50,000. In second place, was Ahmed Rashid Al Falasi and his team: Diana Farah, Katrina Qasabashi and Shahla Amin, for his work titled ‘The Journey’. Finally, in third place, was Abdul Rahman Ezz Al Deen Al Kilawi and his team Dima Qusaibani and Lujain Halawani, for his work titled ‘Graffiti Artists in the UAE’.

The ‘Best Idea Award’ went to Ahmed Rashid Al Falasi for his work ‘The Journey’, while the Best Performance Award was won by Hossam Ibrahim for his visual news report ‘Al Jazeera Al Hamra’, and the Best Introduction Award was clinched by Amina Abdullah for ‘Al Jazeera Al Hamra’ report.

Al Maha Saeed Khalifa Al Kitbi won the Best Videography Award for her report ‘Nostalgia’, while the award for Best Direction was secured by Khawla Yousef Beshoo for ‘I Look Like Al Qasba’. The ‘Jury Award’ went to Aseel Ghalib Ali for her visual report ‘Al Routen Al Katel’.

Last month, the Organising Committee of the Abdee Award announced the shortlisting of 70 applications from 125 submissions for the best visual report by 600 students. The award has allotted cash prizes of AED 150,000 spanning nine categories, including the Best Idea, Best Performance, Best Introduction, Best Videography and Best Direction, with each receiving a prize of AED 10,000, while the winner of the ‘Jury Award’ awarded a prize of AED 5,000.

The awarding ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director General of SMC, along with directors and deans of Sharjah’s universities and colleges, members of the award’s jury, as well as local media representatives and students.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi also honoured the Award jury chaired by: Dr. Ali Qassim Al Shuaibi, Emirati Media Expert, and included Ahmed Al Bairaq, Emirati Journalist, Mohammed Saeed Hareb, Emirati Media Director, Ebtisam Al Shayeb, TV Production Director, and Emirati Filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad.

Addressing students during the ceremony, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: “The movement of our cultural development which is being witnessed by our country, starts with you. You are the nation’s human capital and have a unique role to play. Carry on with developing your talents and believe in yourselves, because change starts from within, and you have all the potential that qualifies you to be the best.”

He added: “The ‘Abdee’ Award is the beginning of a true partnership with local media organisations, and opens up new horizons for developing excellence in Arab media. Your talents and skills are valuable opportunities that enable you to improve the quality of content, and improve it with new innovative methods.”

His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, said: “The Sharjah Media Corporation is keen to press ahead with its mission, inspired by the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, who laid solid foundations for local media to go beyond its role, and become a strategic partner in the development of Sharjah and the UAE.”

He added: “The ‘Abdee’ Award aligns with His Highness’s vision, which is to engage young talent in developing the local and Arab media landscape and enriching it with valuable, new and meaningful content."

Dr. Ali Qassim Al Shuaibi, Chairman of the award’s jury, said: “It was not an easy job for the jury to select the winning works from the many outstanding submissions that revealed students’ highly creative and rich experiences proving their technical and artistic skills and abilities in the media work, signalling a promising generation of creative media professionals."

He presented appreciation certificates and mementos to Dr Abdullah Al Suwaiji, Director of HCT- Sharjah’s Men College, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Director of the HCT-Sharjah Women's College, Dr Rashad Salem, Director of Al Qasimia University, Dr. Humaid Majol Al Nuaimi, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, Firas Al Tabbaa, Deputy Director at Skyline University College, and Dr Mohammed Ayesh, Head of the Mass Communication Department at American University of Sharjah.