Mahabba Awards

The Mahabba Awards initiative emerged after the Danish cartoons crisis as a means by which the personage of the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, would be celebrated through art and media.

The Mahabba Awards ceremony is held biennially and is sponsored by the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Mahabba Awards 2008 included several events throughout three days and enjoyed large audiences attending from all backgrounds. The event combined events in English and Arabic, and constituted entries from artists in both languages as well.

Objectives

• Draw attention to the personage of the Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace
• Stimulate love for the Prophet and promote adherence to his ideals, upon him be peace, amongst Muslim youth
• Encourage artists in all fields to produce more material via various media for introducing the Prophet, upon him be peace, in their respective languages
• Demonstrate through various new channels and ways what love means in regards to the Prophet, upon him be peace
• Encourage the production of creative cultural, media, artistic and entertainment products for all aspects of society
• Highlight the values  stressed by the Prophet, upon him be peace, through the introduced works        
• Establish local and international partnerships;

Tasks for 2009

• Establish an administrative organization that will oversee all managerial aspects of the Awards.