H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, was bestowed Mother Teresa Memorial International Award for Social Justice in recognition of his contribution towards promotion of justice and peaceful co-existence.

Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, received the prestigious award on behalf of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah in a ceremony hosted by Mumbai-based Harmony Foundation, an NGO that honours individuals for their commendable work to ensure peace and harmony. Members of the UAE Consulate-General in Mumbai also attended the event.

The Harmony Foundation, patron of the award, was set up in October 2005 by Dr. Abraham Mathai to establish communal harmony between various communities and castes, and to work for the benefit of all communities without any discrimination regarding religion, caste, creed, gender or region.

The prestigious award, inspired by the life and work of Mother Teresa, is bestowed annually to individuals or organisations who aim to promote peace, harmony and social justice. Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun who worked from Kolkata and was declared a saint after her death, is remembered for her selfless service and philanthropy. Her ideologies inspired millions around the world to serve people for the betterment of society.

For a world that is facing tremendous communal injustice, these representatives aim to create a world void of violence and discrimination.

The award is a platform for felicitating people who work relentlessly for peace and encourage everyone to lend a helping hand to those in need.

Past recipients of the award include Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai and former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, among others.