MEI Annual Awards

Each year at its Annual Awards Banquet, The Middle East Institute recognizes and honors extraordinary individuals - in the humanities, politics, philanthropy, business and the arts - who have made a positive impact on the region.  Hundreds of Arab and American business leaders, policymakers, analysts, ambassadors, diplomats and distinguished guests convene for an evening of conversation and celebration leading into MEI's Annual Conference the next day.

The Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence, endowed by the former deputy prime minister of Lebanon, was created to honor inspirational, innovative Arab individuals who are making a difference in their communities and internationally. The Middle East Institute Visionary Award recognizes an Arab individual or institution for outstanding work in the region.

Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence

2015
Sheika Hoor Al-Qasimi
 President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation

2014
Ayman Asfari
CEO of Petrofac and chairman of the Asfari Foundation

2013
Zaha Hadid
Iraq-born architect

2012
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi
Palestinian legislator, activist and scholar

2011
Amb. Lakhdar Brahimi
fmr under-secretary general of the League of Arab States