The 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards campaign received a record 22,000 individual nominations.

Organisers of the 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards, held biennially under the auspices of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have revealed that at the close of the five-week nomination period on the 25th September, more than 22,000 individuals have been nominated for recognition of their good deeds, by the general public of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Reflecting the diversity of the community, the Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee revealed that a total of 28,000 nomination forms were filled out by people representing 62 nationalities, living in all areas of the Emirate including Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Gharbia, as well as from abroad. Statistics also show a spike in the number of nominations received through the Abu Dhabi Awards website.

“We are delighted that a great number of people participated in recognising the spirit of generosity and goodness that pervades the Emirate,” said an Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee member. “This year’s significant growth in unique nominations reflects that enthusiasm. We will be able to recognise some truly outstanding individuals from the number of nominations we received describing the achievements of selfless people, who give their time and effort for the benefit of the wider community,” the member added.

More than 100 nomination drop boxes, including the 10 mall stands featuring audio nomination facilities, drew strong footfall over the five-week nomination period, and proved to be the most popular way to nominate. Meanwhile, the roving Nomination Bus visited 67 locations spanning the Emirate including Al Ain and communities across Al Gharbia including Al Ruwais, Madinat Zayed and Liwa, ensuring that as many people as possible had an opportunity to nominate.

The judging and evaluation process is now underway, and eventual recipients of the Abu Dhabi Awards 2011 will be identified not on the basis of the number of nominations they received but on the basis of the quality of their deeds and contributions. Following completion of this four-phase judging and review process, the 2011 recipients will be announced and awarded at a ceremony in December.