Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a grand ceremony at the Museum of the Future, Dubai’s leadership lauded the winners of the ‘Erth Dubai Awards’, commending their remarkable endeavors in safeguarding the city’s cultural and social legacy. The event saw the attendance of senior officials, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that Dubai’s remarkable progress is predicated on a robust national identity and an enduring collective memory. He pointed to the importance of documenting cultural heritage and societal transformations as crucial components of sustainable development, harmonizing tradition with contemporary growth.

He acknowledged Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision in intertwining cultural identity with Dubai’s advancement, asserting that the preservation of collective memories fortifies the city’s role as a global exemplar.

The Erth Dubai Awards attracted significant participation, with over 25,000 entries from citizens, schools, and institutions. Sheikh Hamdan stated that this collective effort underscores a shared dedication to narrating Dubai’s legacy for future generations.

Throughout the past year, the Erth Dubai initiative recorded upwards of 14 million interactions and amassed 25,238 submissions from both public and private sectors, producing more than 16,000 archival materials, including old photographs and historical documents, thereby enriching Dubai’s cultural heritage archive.

Recognized Achievements

The Grand Prize of AED 1 million was awarded to Nasser bin Ahmed bin Issa bin Nasser Al Serkal for his outstanding contribution to chronicling Dubai’s history.

Other notable winners included:

• Ghith Mattar Sultan Al Qamzi – Best Family Heritage Documentation

• Ahmed Ayoub Mohammed Noor Abdul Karim – Best Oral Heritage Documentation

• Abdulrahim Mohammed Balghoz Al Zarouni – Best Creatively Documented Entry

• Mohammed Sultan bin Thani – Best Social Media Contribution

In the resident category, Shaukat Ali Rana Mohammed Rafi was honored for his contributions, highlighting the city’s diversity.

Organizational Winners:

• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority was acknowledged as the Best Government Entity

• Uncle’s Shop won accolades as the Best Private Sector Entity

• New Academy School was honored as the Best Educational Institution

The Jury and Future Aspirations

Submissions were meticulously evaluated by a specialized jury led by Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, alongside heritage and archive experts.

In upcoming initiatives, plans are in place to publish 100 books showcasing stories from Dubai’s residents, serving as valuable resources for researchers and the public, thereby enhancing the city’s cultural framework.

The Erth Dubai initiative encourages continued community engagement, inviting people to share their narratives, ensuring that Dubai’s legacy and communal experiences are preserved for future generations.

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