His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development honored yesterday evening the winners of the International Burda Award at its fourteenth session organized by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development in the fields of poetry, calligraphy and ornamentation celebrating the glorious biography of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at the National theater in Abu Dhabi. The ceremony organized by the Ministry of Culture was attended by HE Saqr Ghobash, Minister of Labour, HE Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Deputy Minister of Presidential Affairs, HE Afra Al Sabri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, more than 40 ambassadors to the state, guests of the Ministry and a large audience of UAE citizens . The ceremony began with a tour of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak and senior guests to the Burda exhibition. Then the ceremony began with a speech by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, followed by the operetta “Messenger of Peace and Forgiveness” performed by the star Mohammed Abdu in addition to the artist Ibrahim Salem and Ayoub Yousef, composed by Fahd Al-Nasser, prepared by Ahmed Shalabi, directed by Obaid Ali and dance performance by Emirates Theatrical Performance Band. The ceremony then included an art performances reflecting the UAE heritage in praise of the Prophet Muhamed by Al Maled band. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak then honored the winners in the four categories of the award. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed expressed his happiness with what the International Burda Award has achieved in previous sessions such as its great success in the support of the Arabic language and its arts and literature, and in the promotion of the status of Islamic Art especially Arabic calligraphy and decoration. HH further stressed that the award is in constant development highlighting the cultural position of the UAE Emirates among all creatives of the world. His Highness also praised the huge efforts exerted by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak to convert culture, knowledge and reading into a way of living, creating development in all Emirati culture sectors locally and internationally. Pointing out that the Award now has a wide audience of poets, calligraphers and craftsmen around the world and finally congratulated the winners of the fourteenth session. In his speech His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, said “We are honored today with the presence of His Highness brother Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, in the International Burda Award which was originated by himself while he was the Minister of Culture and Media.” His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan stressed that the Burda Award is an opportunity for talents to get inspired by the poem “Burdat Al Bosiri” towards creativity. The award became a confirmation of the Islamic identity and a source of pride in our religion. Our country has always worked on providing opportunities to confirm the Islamic identity which is based on elevating value of truth, goodness and beauty. Our celebration today of this Award originally stems from the support of the Nation’s leaders, represented by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who constantly encourages all sincere efforts supporting creativity especially in the fields of Arabic language and Islamic art. ” His Excellency added “This year is the year of goodness in the UAE, reminding us that the Burda poem is an everlasting source of goodness urging us to follow prophet Mohamed in the values of peace, truth, goodness, beauty, humanity and love throughout the whole world. It is in this sense a reminder of the status of the Prophet peace be upon him in our lives and in human history being an unparalleled model of truth, justice and behavior. His Excellency stressed that this award is an important cultural event which we should be proud of as it is in constant revolution and is now attracting competitors from all over the world. His Excellency concluded his speech by congratulating all the winners of the 14th session, wishing them continuous creativity to become role models for artists and creatives everywhere. He further urged them to make sure that all their works in the future embody the Biography of the Prophet Muhammad. Thanking the jury members of Burda Award and wishing that the award becomes a representation of the eternal Islamic civilization of creativity and innovation in all areas of life.