President Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday presented Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with the first Emirates International Holy Quran Award – Personality of the Year for 2025.
The award recognises Sheikh Mohammed’s efforts to promote the values inspired by the principles of Islam and specifically his contributions to the Quran and its reciters, locally and globally, state news agency Wam reported.
The UAE President presented the Dubai Ruler with a special edition of the Quran, along with a photograph of the two men with UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and a signed letter expressing his appreciation to Sheikh Mohammed for his efforts to support Quran reciters, publishers and competitions, as well as his promotion of Arabic.
During their meeting at Sheikh Zayed’s farm in Al Khawaneej, Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed highlighted Sheikh Mohammed’s role in the UAE’s national growth, describing his contributions as a “defining feature of the UAE’s journey”.
“The efforts of my brother Mohammed bin Rashid to encourage the study of the Holy Quran and honour its eternal teachings are a source of inspiration as we recall the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, in promoting the Islamic values of harmony, inclusion, and care for all of humanity,” he wrote on X.
History in the making
It came as UAE leaders met at the historic farm, including Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
They prayed together and broke their fast for iftar, calling for Ramadan to bring health, happiness, and well-being to all. The farm was the site of early discussions between Sheikh Zayed and his fellow rulers, which paved the way for the establishment of the UAE.
During the meeting, the leaders reaffirmed that the late Sheikh Zayed’s legacy remains a source of inspiration and guidance, and Sheikh Mohamed announced that the farm was now recognised as the UAE’s third union site, alongside Union House and Arqoob Al Sedira.
“I had the pleasure of joining my brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates, to share iftar in a location that holds special significance,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X. “For two weeks in March 1971, the late Sheikh Zayed and the Rulers met here at his farm in Al Khawaneej, Dubai, to discuss and plan the UAE’s formation.
"Today, this farm joins Union House and Arqoob Al Sedira as one of the sites that proved pivotal to the establishment of the Union.”
A lifetime of work honoured
Sheikh Mohammed’s contributions to promote the Quran have primarily come through the Dubai International Quran Award, which is linked with the following initiatives:
- Islamic Personality of the Year Award
- Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mushaf
- Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Quranic Manuscripts
- International Quran Competition
- Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Quran Competition for Women
- Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum Quran Competition
- Most Beautiful Recitation Competition
- National Quran Memorisation Competition
- Quran Memorisation Programme for Inmates in Correctional Facilities in Dubai
- Quranic lectures, seminars, and research studies
- Qira’at (Recitations) teaching programmes
He also established the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Printing the Holy Quran and has played a leading role in the development of Quranic institutions and academies.
The inaugural Emirates International Holy Quran Award was launched to reinforce the UAE’s dedication to nurturing national talents, supporting those who memorise and recite the Quran, and recognising outstanding global figures in the field.
The award comprises three main sections:
- International First Place Quran Award – this section involves preliminary and final rounds, with 10 male and female contestants receiving recognition this year for achieving top positions in international competitions.
- National First Place Quran Award – this section highlights national talents across all emirates. In its 2024 cycle, it included eight subcategories, with 86 participants emerging as winners nationwide.
- First International Quran Award and Honouring of a Global Quranic Personality – this section honours a distinguished Quranic figure or an outstanding Quranic institution.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Salem Rashid, Mohammed Al Attas, Alhassan Saleh
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Yahya Nader, Ahmed Barman, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
The specs
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Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
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How to help
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INFO
Everton 0
Arsenal 0
Man of the Match: Djibril Sidibe (Everton)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Company%20profile
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Test squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan(wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah
Twenty20 squad: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz
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The five pillars of Islam
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
