ISLAMABAD: Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Tuesday gave the Isa Award for Services to Humanity to Pakistan’s Edhi Foundation in Manama, confirmed the award committee’s official statement.
“The Award was given following recommendations by the international jury, which selected the Edhi Foundation after shortlisting several qualifiers from different countries,” said the statement.
The $1 million award, along with a medal of pure gold and a high certificate of appreciation, was delivered at a splendid royal ceremony at the grand celebration hall of the Isa Cultural Center in the Al-Fateh Compound in Bahrain’s capital, Manama.
Addressing the ceremony, the king congratulated the Edhi Foundation on winning the award for its outstanding humanitarian services.
“We appreciate, here, the great efforts made by those in charge of the foundation in furthering its noble message as wished for by its late founder, Abdul Sattar Edhi, whose name shall remain immortal through his sacrifices, and whose contribution shall remain an exceptional model of outstanding humanitarian work,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The chief guest also thanked the board of trustees, jury committee and the general secretariat for their tireless efforts to make the Isa Award for Services to Humanity prestigious across the world.
“It is with great pride that we celebrate with you today the positive results of the Fourth Edition of the Isa Award for Service to Humanity, an award which has been advancing with confident and successful steps since we ordered its establishment 10 years ago,” added the king.
Established in 2009 by the King of Bahrain, the award is granted every two years to individuals or organizations that are selected through a grueling process by an expert panel of jurists.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa Award, said global society needed an initiative that reflected the Kingdom of Bahrain’s deep-rooted respect for humanity and coexistence.
“The decision of the board of trustees, based on the jury’s findings after two years of professional and transparent research and deliberation, is to grant the award to the Abdul Sattar Edhi Foundation from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” he announced.
Faisal Edhi, son of the late founder of the award-winning foundation, told Arab News on the phone from Bahrain that it was a proud moment not only for the Edhi Foundation but also for the whole country since it was the first time this award had come to Pakistan.
“Their jury consists of representatives from the whole world. Last year, they visited us twice to assess our work in Pakistan before conferring this award. The visiting team included members of the judiciary from Bahrain as well,” Edhi said, adding that his organization would spend the award money on welfare activities.
“We are planning to buy two air ambulances,” he said, “so there is a possibility that we will utilize this amount for that purpose. One of these will be small, which we are planning to buy from Belgium, while the other will be bigger to cater to the needs of the whole region.”
The Edhi Foundation is the largest Pakistani charity, founded by Abdul Sattar Edhi, a renowned philanthropist, ascetic, humanitarian and social activist, whose name continues to stand out in the world of humanitarian work.
The organization serves people from all races, religions, and nationalities without making any distinction.
“We have more than 350 Edhi Centers in more than 100 cities across Pakistan and more than 1800 ambulances are providing services to people round the clock,” Edhi said.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to Bahrain Javed Malik told Arab News that winning the Isa Award was a big achievement for the country since it was very prestigious and given after careful deliberation by an international jury.
“King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is known for his compassion, humanity, and love for the underprivileged,” he continued. “This award is another manifestation of his great commitment to humanity and the welfare of humankind.”
