Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work unveiled

MUSCAT — A new national award to recognise charitable efforts by individuals, associations and organisations has been instituted in Oman.

Read more...

Published: Wed 2 Feb 2011, 11:03 PM

Last updated: Wed 4 Sep 2024, 3:53 PM

The ‘Sultan Qaboos Award for Voluntary Work’ was officially launched at a ceremony here on Monday by Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq al Said, Adviser to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The annual prize, to be presented on December 15 every year beginning from 2011, will be given to voluntary projects that have contributed most to the society and made an impact on it, Social Development Ministry officials said.

Sayyid Shihab unveiled the theme of the award, ‘My Voluntary Life’, and, later, in remarks to media men, noted that Omanis had always been sympathetic towards the poor. “It is not a strange thing for the Omani society,” he added.

Dr Sharifa bint Khalfan Al Yahya’eeya, Social Development Minister, said the prize aimed at “highlighting the role of voluntary and public associations and establishments as a basic partner in the comprehensive social development of the country.” It would also seek to promote constructive competition among those involved in charity work and promote cooperation and social responsibility between the public and voluntary organisations, she added.

Advertising
Advertising

“Voluntary work is based on interdependence and cooperation among people, where everyone cooperates to meet each other’s needs,” Dr Sharifa observed, adding: “Today, the methods of voluntary work whether practised by individuals or institutions are more developed due to the comprehensive development in all walks of life in the sultanate.”

Hamoud bin Ahmed al Yahyaee, Director-general of Social Care at the ministry outlined the criteria and terms of the contest. Any Omani citizen or academician who is active in a charity organisation is eligible to participate. For associations and establishments, they should be registered in the sultanate and present a summary of their contribution in humanitarian, social and voluntary work. —ravindranath@khaleejtimes.com

Published: Wed 2 Feb 2011, 11:03 PM

Last updated: Wed 4 Sep 2024, 3:53 PM

Recommended for you