Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 closes with awards presentation

The curtain went down on Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 at a splendid closing ceremony attended by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, at the Creek Park.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Innovation Awards, Journalism Awards, Global Village Awards, the Ideal Arab Mother & Ideal Family Awards, and awards for key sponsors.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the DSF Supreme Committee, His Excellency Colonel Ali Al Sayed Ibrahim, Director General of Dubai Civil Defence said:

"Launched for a third time with the theme of 'One World, One Family, One Festival', Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 was an invitation to establish the concept of peace and harmony. Nurtured with the thoughts of the millions  who continue to look at Dubai as an oasis of peace and warmth for families, Dubai Shopping Festival continues on its steady pace of growth year after year under the caring guidance of HH Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of UAE and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy President of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai."

"Inspired by the enthusiasm of our visitors and the affectionate hearts of our innocent children, we presented Dubai, yet again to all families who dreamt of coming together in an oasis of peace, a land filled with love - United Arab Emirates.

"We presented a unique world in this united Emirate, a world where all cultures and civilizations live together in harmony, respecting each other and creating a special language of progress and development.

Colonel Al Sayed thanked the key sponsors and support sponsors for joining hands with the public sector in enhancing the appeal of the Festival that had put Dubai on the global stage.

Colonel Al Sayed also appreciated the role played by the local, GCC and international media in covering the activities of DSF and highlighting the UAE to the world.

Innovation Awards

HH Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the DSF 2003 Innovation Awards to the following: Paris Gallery for Best Retail Innovation; BurJuman Centre for the Best Shopping Mall Innovation; Dubai International Airport for Best Interior Building Décor Innovation; The  Department of Naturalisation and Residency for Best Humanitarian  Event/Project Innovation and Dubai Police for the 'Walk for Peace' for Best Event Innovation. 

Special Award

The Reception Committee team at the Dubai Airport from the Department of Naturalisation and Residency received a Special Award.

Certificates of Appreciation

HH General Sheikh Mohammed presented certificates of appreciation to the Key Sponsors and Patrons of DSF: Paris Gallery, Spinneys LLC, Al Futtaim Group, BurJuman Centre, Deira City Centre, Mashreq Bank, Al Rostamani  Group, Al Zarouni Group, ENOC/EPPCO, Pepsi Cola International, Etisalat, Visa International, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, Dubai Festival City, Emirates Airline, Jumbo Electronics, Emirates Bank Group, Al Habtoor Group  and Emaar Properties.

Global Village awards

In the Global Village Awards, Syria bagged the Best Décor (Exterior) Award; Pakistan won in the category of best organised pavilion, Egypt was recognised as the Best Managed Pavilion and India Pavilion received the  award for the Best Folkloric Activity.

Journalism Awards

The DSF 2003 Journalism Awards were presented in different categories for local, regional and international media. 

In the UAE Category, Farha Sait of Khaleej Times won the award for the 'Best Article in the Report Format (English)' for her article "We are the world" and Marwan Barjas of Al Khaleej for his article entitled "Close your eyes to see" for Best Article in Report Format (Arabic). Renita Mascarenhas from the Weekend  Magazine published by Khaleej Times won the award for the Best Article in the Feature format (English) and Ali Al Ameri from Al Khaleej newspaper won the award for the Best Article in the Feature format for his article 'The Harmon of Directions". 

In the GCC Category, Faleh Al Thebyani from Al Madina Newspaper in Saudi Arabia won the award for the Best Article for his report 'Why did Dubai Shopping Festival succeed when all similar Festivals in the region failed.'

In the Pan-Arab Category, Munir Al Khateeb's article in Al Hayat 'Dubai tries to hold its breath during DSF to send a message of peace and harmony to the  world' won the award for the Best article in the Report format (Arabic). The award for the Best article in the Feature format was received by Mustafa Ahmed Al Najjar for his feature 'Festival of Excellence' from Al Ahram newspaper, Cairo.

Mildred Ngesa from Midweek, The East African Standard Kenya won in the International report category (English) for her article 'I have learnt that there is  beauty in the diversity of Humanities'. Tamanna Bhatia from the Aviation Magazine India won the Award for the Best Article in the feature format for the  feature titled 'Dubai Shopping Festival - The Magnum Opus of 2003'.

In the best photographs category, the two awards for the Best Photograph of a DSF activity were received by Vijay Rajan from Gulf Today and Joseph P  Capellan from Gulf News.

The Best Overall Coverage Award went to City Times, Khaleej Times in the English category and Al Bayan in the Arabic category. Gulf News received the  Award for the Best Layout. 

Ideal Arab Mother & Ideal Family Awards

HH Sheikh Mohammed presented the Ideal Arab Mother Award to Ms. Sheikha Ibrahim Al Ansari from UAE. The Ideal Mother Award is given every year to the  most exemplary Arab mother from anywhere in the world.

The Ideal Arab Family Award was presented to the family of Mr. Hassan Mahmoud Al Saeed from Egypt. This annual award highlights exceptional success story of one Arab family from anywhere in the world.