Nominations open for 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards

“If I could I would really like to nominate the late Sheikh Zayed,” Hana Seid says at the Abu Dhabi Awards booth in Al Wahda Mall. “He was always helping people.”

ABU DHABI // Ahmed Khamis Al Romaithi gives generously to people in need in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and one of his employees wants him to receive the recognition he deserves for his charity.

"He's a gentleman and he's a good man," said Hassan Ahmed Khdar, 24, a public relations officer for Mr Al Romaithi. "He is known for his generosity."

Mr Khdar filled out a form yesterday at Al Wahda Mall, nominating his Emirati employer in this year's Abu Dhabi Awards.

Yesterday was the opening day for nominations for this year's awards. Individuals have four weeks to nominate a person or organisation of their choice.

The awards recognise people and organisations that have contributed to the community by performing good deeds, whether at home or abroad. The 2011 awards will have a special focus on Al Ain and Al Gharbia, as well as online nominations.

Emiratis and expatriates are eligible for the awards.

The honours are under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who hands out the awards every other year during a December ceremony at the Emirates Palace hotel.

Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE, established the awards to preserve the legacy of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding President of the UAE. During his lifetime, Sheikh Zayed believed in the generosity and kindness of people in the UAE, and believed that every person - deep inside - had a sense of caring for others.

At Khalidiyah Mall yesterday, Roy Raymond Zinati, 19, a university student from Lebanon, nominated his Iraqi friend, Bashar Al Abadi, 20, the founder of the Abu Dhabi Skaters group, for an award.

"I'm giving my friend an opportunity to be known for his good deeds," Mr Zinati said. "He is into extreme sports and has been organising events here. He has made some sacrifices. He even skipped two years of university to work with the group."

Azad Shahul Hamid, a company driver in Abu Dhabi who is originally from Kerala, nominated his compatriot Yousuf Ali, who is the managing director of the Emke Group, the parent company of LuLu hypermarkets.

"Mr Ali started out with a small business and now has been contributing to the economy," said Mr Hamid, 52, who likewise hails from Kerala. "Although he's very much involved in charity, he does it silently."