The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has won the Sheikh Rashid Humanitarian Award for the year 2008. This was disclosed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group and Chairman of the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, the institutor of the biennial award, Qatar News Agency (Arabic version) said. Sheikh Ahmed said that the Emir was selected for the award in recognition of the great efforts he made single-handedly, as well as in coordination with Arab and international institutions for enhancing the chances of peace in the region, for achieving progress, for harnessing foundations of development and for rising up to the expectations of human resources. Addressing a press conference held yesterday at the Le Meridien Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed said: “I am happy to announce the winner of the eighth edition of the Rashid Humanitarian Award. He is the Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.” Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and Ahmed Hashim Khouri, one of the founders of the Rashid Pediatric Therapy Centre, also attended the press meet. Sheikh Ahmed said that the Emir of Qatar was a natural choice for this prestigious award in the light of his sincere and selfless efforts in the humanitarian and developmental fields on Arab and international levels. “The Emir of Qatar played individual as well as joint roles in coordination with influential institutions in strengthening security and stability in several Arab and African countries, thus averting conflicts and battles and their devastating effects on people in those countries, Sheikh Ahmed noted. The political and humanitarian roles played by the Emir in Lebanon, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and a number of other countries were paramountly clear, explained Sheikh Ahmed. The award instituted by RPTC in 1996 has recognised exceptional personalities who have made valuable contributions towards the welfare of humanity irrespective of colour, creed and gender. Peace Push Some of the key peace initiatives of The Emir, H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in the Arab world May 1999 Brokers peace between Sudan and Eritrea. The two countries end a five-year dispute and ink a peace accord in Doha. August 2000 Visits Asmara, Eritrea’s capital city, and Khartoum to revive the peace deal between the two countries. June 2007 A Qatari-mediated ceasefire is negotiated in Doha to put an end to deadly fighting that lasted for nearly three years between the Yemeni army and members of the outlawed ‘Believing Youth,’ a rebel movement in northern Saada province, known as Houthis. May 2008 Qatari mediators return to Yemen to salvage the truce May 2008 Invites rival Lebanese leaders to Doha in a bid to resolve a protracted political conflict that pushed Beirut to the brink of a new civil war. February 2009 Representatives of Sudanese government and armed rebel group of Darfur, Justice and Equality Movement sign a declaration of good intentions in Doha, paving the way for broader peace talks to end their six-year-old conflict in the region. Holds talks with Sudanese President. Khartoum frees 24 Darfur rebel prisoners. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=June2009&file=Local_News2009061164637.xml

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