Abu Dhabi: The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, which is organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, has announced that Omar Khairat, an Egyptian musician, has been chosen as the Cultural Personality of the Year for its 17th edition. Khairat was selected due to his extensive artistic output, which has played a significant role in shaping the collective cultural consciousness of the Arab region through his compositions for films and television dramas.
The award reflects Abu Dhabi’s status as a UNESCO City of Music and its efforts to promote cultural exchange as well as understanding between the Arab world and other cultures. The decision was made by the SZBA Board of Trustees based on the Scientific Committee’s recommendation.
“This year, we are proud to select Omar Khairat, one of the most renowned and celebrated musicians in the Arab world. His constant striving for excellence and innovation has seen the artist make an incalculable impact on the music industry and the wider cultural landscape, as well as foster important cross-cultural dialogue. His passion reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to nurture creativity and harness the power of the arts to build bridges and transcend borders.”
Mr. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, shared.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Secretary General of the SZBA and Chairman of the ALC, commented that “the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is committed to highlighting prominent artistic and intellectual figures whose remarkable contributions to the cultural movement are sure to resonate through the generations. Musician Omar Khairat is certainly one of these individuals; his music will always inspire deeper meanings and emotions, carrying within its notes the markers of our culture, which he has been able to brilliantly mix with other cultures, creating timeless masterpieces that will remain engraved in our memory and our identity.”
Khairat has won numerous Egyptian and Arab awards and certificates of appreciation for his work, including the Golden Knight Award in 2001 from the Egyptian Radio and Television Union for the song Al Masri, the Oscar of Egyptian Cinema Award from the Egyptian Cinema Art Association in 2003 for the film Mafia, and the Audience Choice Award for the best soundtrack in 2005 for the series Agent 1001.