Ibda’a 2025: Honoring Arab Youth in Media

As the Arab world’s media landscape evolves rapidly in the digital era, fostering young talent has become a top priority for nations seeking to remain at the forefront of global influence. At the heart of this ambition lies the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award, an initiative that shines a spotlight on promising young creatives shaping the future of media across the region. This year, the prestigious awards were presented during the opening of the Arab Media Summit 2025, reflecting Dubai’s ongoing commitment to empowering youth and cultivating a new generation of Arab media leaders. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event marked a significant moment in the region’s media development narrative.

Visionary Leadership Driving Media Innovation

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum played a central role in this year’s award ceremony, honouring the winners of the ninth edition of the Ibda’a – Arab Youth Media Award. His Highness underscored the increasingly vital role of media—not just as a medium for information dissemination, but as a transformative force capable of shaping public opinion, cultural identity, and societal values. In recognising the outstanding talents of Arab youth, His Highness articulated a compelling vision for a media environment grounded in creativity, innovation, and ethical responsibility.

This year’s event was organised by the Dubai Press Club and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. The awards ceremony was a key part of the Arab Media Summit 2025, held from 26 to 28 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which brought together thought leaders, institutions, and professionals from across the region and beyond.

Celebrating Creative Excellence Across Diverse Categories

This year, the Ibda’a Award celebrated exceptional student achievements in six distinctive categories. Each winner demonstrated originality, clarity of vision, and a deep understanding of media’s power to influence. Among the standout honorees was Ahmed Samir Badwan from Al Ain University, who excelled in the Photography category with visuals that resonated emotionally and thematically. In the Multimedia category, Abdullah Khaled Ali from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Dubai earned recognition for his innovative and interactive storytelling.

Judy Mohamed Zaki from the American University in Cairo won the Short Video category for her compelling visual narrative, while Amina Saleh Al-Tunaiji from the Higher Colleges of Technology in Ras Al Khaimah impressed the judges in the E-Games category with her unique approach to gamification and digital storytelling. A team from Yarmouk University in Jordan was recognised for their exceptional work in the News Reports category, showcasing depth in journalistic research and ethical reporting. Meanwhile, a podcasting team from King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia took top honours in the Podcast category for their engaging audio content and socially relevant themes.

Each winning team or individual received a $5,000 cash prize, symbolising not only reward but also encouragement to further pursue their media aspirations. All entries were assessed by a panel of seasoned media experts and academics, following a transparent and merit-based evaluation process developed by the Dubai Press Club. Participants were required to submit original, non-promotional work in either Arabic or English, and retain full intellectual property rights to their content, while granting permission for promotional use by the Organising Committee.

A Platform to Launch Future Media Leaders

Her Excellency Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and President of the Dubai Press Club, expressed her admiration for the high standard of entries and the powerful messages they conveyed. Mona Ghanem Al Marri emphasized that the Ibda’a Award was born from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aimed at preparing Arab youth to lead future transformations in media. She described the award as a key part of Dubai’s media development agenda and noted that it has become a vital platform for young people to showcase their talent and shape the region’s dynamic media landscape.

Mona Ghanem Al Marri also highlighted how this year’s award recipients reflected a strong social consciousness and awareness of regional and global issues—ranging from sustainability and mental health to digital culture and community development. According to Al Marri, honouring these young voices at the Arab Media Summit 2025 was not just a celebration but a powerful affirmation of Dubai’s role as a media hub that values innovation and nurtures talent.

Youth at the Heart of Media’s Future

Maryam Al Mulla, Acting Director of the Dubai Press Club, delivered the welcome address at the Arab Youth Media Forum, which coincided with the award ceremony. In her remarks, she highlighted Dubai’s pride in being the home of such an influential initiative and underlined the city’s longstanding investment in empowering youth. She spoke passionately about the energy, passion, and limitless imagination of today’s youth, stating that they are not merely inheriting the future of media—they are actively creating it.

She noted that throughout history, significant societal progress has always been driven by the energy and dreams of young people. The Arab region, she suggested, is now entering a new media era where young creatives will help define not just technological innovation, but also the ethical and cultural direction of storytelling, journalism, and communication.

Al Mulla also emphasized the need for a media space that champions identity, inclusion, and purpose—anchored in cultural authenticity and powered by the latest technologies. She praised Dubai’s leadership for creating a digital infrastructure that ranks among the world’s best, attracting major international and regional media institutions to operate within its ecosystem. The city’s ability to bring together talent, technology, and opportunity makes it a global media capital, she added.

A Growing Legacy of Arab Youth Empowerment

The Ibda’a Award, since its inception, has grown in scale and impact. This year’s edition received a record 2,736 entries from universities and media schools across the Arab world. This overwhelming response not only reflects the hunger of young creators to express themselves but also the trust they place in the platform to amplify their voices. The award continues to evolve, adapting its categories and themes to reflect changes in media trends, including emerging areas such as virtual storytelling, e-sports content creation, and immersive journalism.

Over the past nine editions, the award has launched the careers of several media professionals who are now active in leading regional and international outlets. Their stories offer inspiration to today’s winners, many of whom see Ibda’a as a stepping stone toward meaningful media careers.

Dubai’s Strategic Role in Regional Media Development

The Ibda’a Award and its alignment with major events such as the Arab Media Summit 2025 further illustrate Dubai’s strategic role in shaping the regional and global media agenda. The city’s initiatives have consistently demonstrated a commitment to cultivating a knowledge-based economy where media is both a cultural force and an economic pillar.

Dubai has successfully positioned itself as a global leader in media innovation through policy support, investment in infrastructure, and the creation of forums like the Arab Media Summit. These platforms offer more than visibility—they offer real connections, industry insights, and pathways to leadership for media professionals and aspiring creators.

The city’s ecosystem supports startups, legacy brands, academic institutions, and grassroots innovators alike. Through forums, awards, and incubators, Dubai has laid the groundwork for a media environment that is inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready.