QF’s Akhlaquna Award Opens Up Its Change-making Finalists To Public Vote

A student-led medical association, a YouTube channel that helps children develop a range of skills, and an initiative designed to create new green spaces in Qatar – these are the three projects in the running to be the winner of the fourth cycle of Qatar Foundation’s Akhlaquna Award.

Public voting is now open until Wednesday, June 30, for the people of Qatar to support their favorite project created by young people who embody strong values and moral character, and who aim to support their society while inspiring others through the positive behaviors they demonstrate.

Announced by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, in 2017, the Akhlaquna Award promotes the timeless and universal values exhibited by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and celebrates Qatari citizens and residents aged from 15-24 whose actions mirror what the award represents and who are making change happen within their communities.

The fourth cycle of Akhlaquna saw 65 applications received by Qatar Foundation (QF), which have since been whittled down to a shortlist of three finalists. They are:

• Qatar Medical Students’ Association (QMSA-Qatar): an association that aims to bring medical and healthcare students from Qatar together to play their part in shaping the future of Qatar’s healthcare landscape, while equipping and empowering them to play an active role in local and international society.
• StepOne Kids: a YouTube channel educating children about the right way to live, talk, eat, and play, alongside other skills, providing them with content that is both educational and entertaining so they can learn while having fun.
• Grass Banking: an initiative that discovers neglected spaces that offer the potential to be turned into green and agricultural areas for the benefit of future generations.

“Once again, young people from across Qatar whose values, character, and behaviors are an inspiration to others have shown their dedication to making positive change happen within their communities, through their impressive, imaginative, and socially-aware submissions to our Akhlaquna Award,” said Machaille Hassan Al-Naimi, President of Community Development, Qatar Foundation.

“This initiative reflects QF’s belief that providing young people with the opportunity and the impetus to create, innovate, lead, and inspire can generate true social impact. Akhlaquna is the flag-bearer for the importance of encouraging young people to make its values part of their everyday lives. Those who engage with Akhlaquna discover how their values and actions benefit not just themselves, but also those around them. And as they demonstrate the moral character and sense of service that is at the core of any strong society, they empower others to do the same.

“This is how Akhlaquna acts as a vehicle for positive social change in Qatari society, and the three finalists for the fourth cycle of this award epitomize its goal of placing robust human values at the heart of life in Qatar. We congratulate all the finalists, who should take great pride in what they are making possible, and how they are intertwining knowledge and morality for the good of humanity.”

As well as the public vote, the Akhlaquna finalists will also be assessed by a panel of expert judges: Dr. Jassim Sultan, Director of Wijdan Cultural Center; Dr. Emad El-Din Shahin, Dean of the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of QF; Professor Mabrouk Zeid Elkheir, Director of the National Center for Research in Islamic Sciences and Civilization, Algeria; and Dr. Hissa Mohammed Sadiq, Emeritus Professor at Qatar University and former Dean of its College of Education.

The winner will be announced at a special Akhlaquna Day ceremony later in the year, and will be supported by QF to amplify the impact that the winning project can bring to society.

Since its launch, over 320 projects have been submitted across the four Akhlaquna cycles, with the initiative also providing tailored workshops to hundreds of young people, supporting and empowering them to develop their own human-focused initiatives based around the core Akhlaquna values of mercy, tolerance, generosity, and honesty. Its fourth cycle has taken place in virtual form, reflecting the health guidelines implemented to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

To vote for the winner of the fourth cycle of Akhlaquna by June 30 – and to find out more about the finalists, the judges, and the award – visit www.akhlaquna.qa