The Arab Hope Makers 2026 finale delivered one of the most talked-about nights in Dubai this year. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presided over the sixth edition of the Arab Hope Makers initiative at Coca-Cola Arena on February 15, 2026 — and what unfolded on stage quickly became the headline.
The annual initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, honours individuals dedicated to humanitarian work throughout the Arab world. This year's ceremony drew thousands of attendees to one of the region's largest indoor venues.
Sheikh Hamdan's Unprecedented Decision
Public voting selected Moroccan humanitarian Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi as the grand prize winner of Arab Hope Makers 2026. She serves as Senior Regional Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa at Operation Smile and has supported more than 19,000 life-changing surgeries for children born with cleft conditions.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan announced that all three finalists would each receive AED 1 million — a departure from the initiative's tradition of awarding a single grand prize — bringing the evening's total to AED 3 million.
The Three Arab Hope Makers 2026 Winners
Fouzia Jbara Mahmoudi — Morocco
Fouzia has dedicated years to expanding access to corrective cleft surgeries for children across North Africa and the Middle East. Her work through Operation Smile has directly changed the lives of tens of thousands of young patients. She was selected as the leading winner from among 15,800 nominees.
Hind Al Hajri — Kuwait
Hind Al Hajri left behind her professional career to found Fatima House (Bait Fatima) in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in 2018. What began as a shelter for 15 children has grown into a home for 47 orphans, with plans for responsible expansion already under way.
Abderrahmane Rais — Morocco
Abderrahmane Rais uses his digital platform to run the Suroor initiative — anonymously paying off grocery debts and settling financial burdens for widows and single mothers in rural Morocco. More than 1,000 people have directly or indirectly benefited from his work.
A Night of Culture and Community
The ceremony also featured a live performance by renowned Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir, performed with full string accompaniment, adding a cultural dimension to the evening's celebration of humanitarian achievement.
Arab Hope Makers: Six Years of Impact
Since its launch in 2017, the Arab Hope Makers initiative has received more than 335,000 nominations. The sixth edition alone drew 15,800 entries, reflecting the depth of humanitarian engagement across the Arab world.
The initiative continues to spotlight grassroots change-makers — ordinary individuals whose extraordinary commitment is quietly reshaping communities from Morocco to Zanzibar.
