Qatar Foundation (QF) has launched the fourth cycle of its Akhlaquna Award – with the aim of broadening its reach and impact, and benefiting even more lives. Projects embodying the moral values that are the bedrock of a strong and sustainable society are being sought for the award.
First announced by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of Qatar Foundation, in 2017, the Akhlaquna Award highlights the timeless and universal values exhibited by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that remain relevant and vital to people of all ages and cultures – and celebrates those whose actions and behaviours epitomise what the initiative stands for.
Each year, young people who have developed projects rooted in exemplary moral character, and who inspire others through the example they set, are recognised through the award as it nurtures the behaviours essential to being a leader and a change-maker. And through its ethos and message, Akhlaquna also nurtures behavioural change within wider society, heightening awareness of the interconnectivity between knowledge and morality.
“Through Akhlaquna, we have already influenced the lives of thousands of people, empowering them to recognise how the values and behaviours they exhibit and live by benefit themselves and those around them,” said Machaille Hassan al-Naimi, president of Community Development, QF.
“They have become ambassadors for the morals and values that stand at the core of Akhlaquna, inspiring others to adopt, embrace, and exemplify them in their own daily lives. This is how Akhlaquna is serving as a vehicle for positive change within our society, as it promotes, instills, and catalyses behaviours that make communities stronger, more unified, more tolerant, and more aware.
“The three cycles of Akhlaquna to date have illustrated how our innovative, creative, and socially-engaged youth are committed to leading this change and making a difference to their community, and to the world. As we enter the fourth cycle of this empowering initiative, we look forward to seeing the young people of Qatar come forward with their ideas for placing robust human values at the heart of society, and to the impact and benefit of Akhlaquna extending even further into people’s lives.”
Akhlaquna highlights the enduring importance of values such as mercy, tolerance, honesty, and generosity. It aims to create a ripple effect that benefits not only the community of Qatar, but also the global community, through heightening recognition of what good moral character and behaviors make possible.
Since its launch, young people have submitted over 250 projects to Akhlaquna. The initiative has also provided tailored workshops to hundreds of youth, guiding and empowering them to establish their own humanitarian initiatives. Its fourth cycle will unfold in a form that reflects the pandemic-affected times, with at least the first half of its programme taking place via virtual platforms.
Qatari citizens and residents aged 15-24 can submit projects, either as individuals or teams, with the three shortlisted projects being voted on by the public as well as being assessed by a panel of jurors to determine the winner, which will be announced at a dedicated Akhlaquna Day ceremony later this year.
