Yemeni youth wins distinct Arab youth prize in Cairo

Source: Yemen Observer

The Arab Youth council in Cairo, belonging to the Arab League honored the Yemeni young photographer, Ibrahim Ahmed Yahia al- Sharif on August 10, 2011 in Cairo. Al-Sharif has attended an interactive meeting with Arab and African Youth in a debate coordinated by the Egyptian Higher Cultural Council and the Arab League at the Opera House.

The award, established six years ago aims at highlighting the gifted youth so that they become model to others in the Middle East and Africa.

The annual award is held for choosing nine winners on basis of their successful scientific achievements in fields of information, volunteering, composing, culture and development.

Al-Sharif is the second Yemeni to win this award, confirming the creativity of the Yemeni youth and denying the negative image depicted abroad about Yemen.

The honoring ceremony, which was covered by Egyptian, Arab and African media was attended by a number of ambassadors, Head of the Arab Youth Council, Dr. Mushira Abu Ghalib and 400 elite Arab and African Youth participants.

Al-Sharif, who works as a photographer and journalist in the English National Yemen newspaper, was chosen for his distinctive works in photography and graphic design. He joined in a contest for producing British films and has made a brilliant film about Yemen as well as his contributions in Arab and western countries. He has represented Yemen in several countries, obtained a prize before and was honored by the Turkish and Kuwaiti Prime Ministers.  

In an interview with Sharif, he thanked the Arab League, calling for establishing new mechanisms for achieving the Arab identity for defending nation’s issues and to accelerate the solving of the Palestinian issue. 

“Winning the award is a great motivation for developing my skills so as to be one of the decision makers in my community and to address the Arab community at large by creating the competition spirit in the Arab youth who will be the future decision makers in their communities. I was lucky to meet groups of elite youth and hold consultative meetings with them that come out with recommendations concerning our common issues,” Sharif concluded.