UN to honor Turki Al-Dakheel along with 6 international VIPs

NEW YORK — The United Nations will organize a ceremony to honor the heroes of the international campaign to combat extremism on Sept. 22 here. On the sidelines of the ongoing 71st UN General Assembly, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) cooperated with six international institutions to organize the ceremony in the Metropolitan Museum for Arts in New York City. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and seven other women leaders will be at the ceremony that promotes human rights and supports women leadership. The ceremony will honor Turki Al-Dakheel alongside six other international personalities. Al-Dakheel had a significant role in the campaign. The committee said Al-Dakheel deserved this honor for his unique role in the international campaign against extremism and his work to mobilize others and inspire them. He inspired people and rallied them to support victims of extremism and aroused hope in them. He is also a strong voice and has an active role in fostering human rights while also championing women rights. He always promoted education and stood strongly against hatred and discrimination in the Arab world, while spreading the message of tolerance and supporting the cultural and interfaith dialogue in the region. Al-Dhakeel is a Saudi journalist and media figure. He is currently the General Manager of Al Arabiya Television News Network in Dubai. He is also the owner of Al Mesbar Studies and Research Centre and Madarek Publishing House in Dubai. In 2007, 2010 and 2011 Arabian Business magazine placed Al-Dakheel among the most influential Arab figures, and in November 2012 ranked him 29th of the world’s 100 most powerful Saudis. In 2014, he received the America Abroad Media annual award for his role in supporting civil society, human rights and advancing women's role in Society in KSA and the Gulf. The prestigious ceremony will be covered by international channels, including CNN. The ceremony will be attended by 400 VIPs including the Presidents of Bulgaria and Albania. Attendees of the event represent the civil and academic circles. The other VIPs that will be awarded are the Iraqi Yazidi Nadia Murad, American journalist at the New York Times and author Nicolas Kristof, founder of “Teachers Against Terrorist” Network in Kenya Abdulhafiz Yousef Abdi and Hafsa Mohammad for her role in combatting extremism in schools in Nigeria.