H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, honoured the winners of the Shams Awards for Arabic Content during a ceremony held at Sharjah Media City (Shams) headquarters.
During the ceremony, Rashid Abdullah Al Obaid, Director of Sharjah Media City, highlighted the award’s objective to foster creativity and support content creators contributing to innovative Arabic content. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. This vision focuses on the significant role of media in shaping society and reinforcing Arab identity.
Shams Awards
“The Shams Award for Arabic Content is not just a celebration of creativity but a reflection of our commitment to media innovation and Sharjah’s role as a regional creative hub,” Al Obaid stated. Furthermore, he urged young talents to present meaningful ideas and elevate their creative skills.
Later in the event, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed presented awards to several winners. The “Stories” podcast by Jamal Al Mulla from the UAE won first place in the Best Arabic Podcast category. Moreover, “Secrets of Money” by Ahmed Al Jamal from Egypt secured second place. Finally, the “Art” podcast by Badr Al Awadhi from the UAE claimed third place.
The Best Short Film Award was given to Fares Shaheen for his Syrian production “The Red Shoes.” In addition, Gabriel Al Nuwaiji from Libya earned the Best Video for a Commercial Advertisement Award.
Ahmed Raafat from Egypt, known as “Street Broadcaster,” won the Best Content Creator Award on Social Media. Likewise, Hafsa Mahyou from Algeria secured second place, while Marwan Al Shehhi from the UAE received third place.
In a gesture of appreciation, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed acknowledged the jury members. These included media personality Ahmed Salem Bou Samnouh, director Nahla Al Fahad, Dr. Hisham Zakaria, and media figure Abdul Raouf Amira. Additionally, sponsors and partners from various organisations were recognised.
Participants of Shams Awards
Following the awards ceremony, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed participated in an annual gathering of media professionals. This event, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, aimed to foster connections, share ideas, and promote meaningful content development in the media sector.
During the gathering, the Chairman personally greeted media professionals. He expressed appreciation for their contributions to the UAE’s media landscape and ongoing collaboration with Sharjah’s media authorities.
Notable figures also attended the event. Among them were Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed bin Salem Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. Additionally, Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, were present. Others included Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Rashid Abdullah Al Obaid, Director of Sharjah Media City (Shams); Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; and Alia Bu Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, along with numerous media professionals.
