Sharjah Ruler honours winner of Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support
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His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah honoured Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB), the winner of the 7th edition of the Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA 2023) in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) and Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at UNHCR, during the award ceremony was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Sharjah Police Science Academy.
Jawaher Al Qasimi: Goodness is a culture, an awareness, and a daily decision we don’t back down from.
The ceremony started with the UAE national anthem, and a video screening about SIARA, followed by the opening speech of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, who said: “On behalf of TBHF and personally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for his unwavering support of this award and his commitment to its continuity and development in achieving its goals. At a time when conflicts, disasters, tragedies, poverty and displacement are rampant, God’s wisdom creates balance in this universe and leaves us with the choice to be the helping hand in times of hardship. Therefore, you should be proud because you have carried the responsibility of goodness and made it a way of life”.
“Goodness is not a fleeting or an isolated act, but rather a culture, an awareness, and daily decision we do not back down from, and are proud to see our work bearing fruit in the lives of others. We want to see our efforts turn into a smile on a child’s face, a source of knowledge for a young mind, care for a family weakened by circumstances, and a future full of hope for the younger generations. This is how we understand goodness, and this is why we launched SIARA. It serves as a reminder that this goodness has creative people behind it and continues to provide inspiring models of hope and giving to the world,” Her Highness added.
Her Highness concluded the opening speech by encouraging good willing and kind hearted people to always be hopeful, pointing out that support will continue as the mission is not yet over.
Mariam Al Hammadi: We choose to stand by refugees driven by love and willingness
Mariam Al Hammadi noted: “Today we meet in a different competitive context – a competition that celebrates goodness and is dedicated to promoting the good. Each nominee is a winner, although only one can be crowned. Our collective commitment to choosing to do good is a significant triumph in its own right because it is a commitment to respecting the rights of human beings, a commitment of love, giving and cooperation. This free and conscious choice has shaped the global humanitarian sector. If refugees had no choice in deciding their forced fates of injustice, we in Sharjah, led by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher, have chosen to stand by them out of love and willingness”.
She added:
“The SIARA award shines light on role models supporting refugees and providing new opportunities and beginnings. Such distinguished models need the world to stand by them, so their impact extends from one refugee to thousands and millions around the world.”
Al Hammadi congratulated TBB, asserting that the organisation has worked hard, innovated, achieved its goals, and turned the spotlight on facts that the world may have overlooked, which is that many refugees possess abilities, talents, visions, and aspirations that make them a real asset to host communities if invested in the right way. She applauded the efforts of TBHF’s committee who selected the winner of this year’s edition of SIARA.
Khaled Khalifa: TBHF has improved the lives of over a million refugees
For his part, His Excellency Khaled Khalifa expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher, an Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children at UNHCR and a visionary leader with a big heart, visionary insight and generous contributions of around USD 30 million since 2013, which have helped to improve the living conditions of more than one million refugees around the world.
He said:
“Refugees are not just numbers; they are doctors, engineers, skilled workers, and software developers. Many have skills but lack opportunities as they find themselves in countries where they are not allowed to work. By involving governments, the private sector, and non-profit organisations, we create safe pathways that enable refugees to transition to work, resume their professions, and rebuild their lives.”
He congratulated TBB for winning the 7th edition SIARA and lauded THF’s efforts and the teams helping refugees, turning the spotlight light on their suffering, providing the necessary support, and bringing hope and joy to their hearts.
The award ceremony saw another video screening about TBB’s key efforts, achievements and success stories in helping skilled and talented refugees and displaced people.