About the Awards
The Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence, endowed by the former deputy prime minister of Lebanon, was created to honor inspirational, innovative Middle Eastern individuals who are making a difference in their communities and internationally. The Middle East Institute Visionary Award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding work in the region.
74th Annual Gala
MEI's 2020 Annual Awards Gala will be held online on October 8 from 11am to 12pm EST.
Past Award Recipients
2019
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Nadine Labaki
Lebanese Actor and Director
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Othman & Leila Benjelloun
Co-chairs of the BMCE Bank Foundation
2018
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
The American University of Beirut (AUB)
Institution of higher learning
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Huda Alkhamis Kanoo
Philanthropist dedicated to arts, education, and women's empowerment
2017
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Sheikha Hussa Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah
Kuwaiti art collector and curator
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Fadi Ghandour
Social entrepreneur and philanthropist
2016
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Vera Baboun
Mayor of Bethlehem Municipality
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Syria Civil Defense
"The White Helmets"
2015
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Sheika Hoor Al-Qasimi
President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Mohamed A. El-Erian
Chief Economic Advisor, Allianz, and Chair, President's Global Development Council
2014
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Ayman Asfari
CEO of Petrofac and chairman of the Asfari Foundation
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Shafik Gabr
Founder of the Shafik Gabr Foundation
2013
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Zaha Hadid
Iraq-born architect
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Abdlatif Al-Hamad
Kuwaiti philanthropist
2012
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi
Palestinian legislator, activist and scholar
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel
President, Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd.
2011
Issam M. Fares Award for Excellence
Amb. Lakhdar Brahimi
Fmr. under-secretary general of the League of Arab States
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Esraa Abdel Fattah
Egyptian human rights and democracy activist
2010
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Issam M. Fares
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon
2009
Middle East Institute Visionary Award
Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish
Palestinian doctor