(Washington, D.C.) On the first anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy announces it will present its prestigious Scholar-Statesman Award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, for his leadership in securing the breakthrough peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, as well as his commitment to expanding religious tolerance at home. The Institute will honor the Emirati leader at its Scholar-Statesman Award gala in New York City on November 18. 

“Through his bold and visionary act, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan led the way for peace between Israel and the UAE and paved the road for three other Arab countries – Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan – to make their own agreements for full diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.  His pioneering leadership made possible the first agreements between Israel and Arab nations in more than two decades and raised the bar on what constitutes full, warm peace between Arabs and Israelis,” said Institute Executive Director Robert Satloff. “Moreover, at home, the crown prince has opened the Emirates to believers of all Abrahamic faiths. The flowering of churches, synagogues and related religious institutions in the UAE sets a new standard for religious tolerance one hopes countries around the region begin to emulate.”  

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed serves as deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces and advisor to his brother, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE. He is the son of the country’s founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 

The Institute’s Scholar-Statesman Award celebrates outstanding leaders, who, through their public service and professional achievements, exemplify the idea that sound scholarship and a discerning knowledge of history are essential to wise and effective policy and the advancement of peace and security in the Middle East. Previous recipients include King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain, Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice, Henry Kissinger, and George Shultz and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. 

This year’s Scholar-Statesman gala will also pay tribute to Wendy and Jim Schreiber, the Institute’s chairman emeritus, for their decades of leadership, dedication, and commitment to the mission of The Washington Institute. Dinner co-chairs include Lori and Zachary Schreiber, John Shapiro and Shonni Silverberg, and Merryl and James Tisch.  

For more information about the Scholar-Statesman Award gala, please contact Jeff Rubin, Washington Institute communications director, at jrubin@washingtoninstitute.org.