The Arab Thought Foundation (Al-Fikr Al Arabi) is an international, independent non-governmental organization founded in 2000, with a guiding mission to help advance the economic, social and cultural development of the Arab region. The Arab Thought Foundation’s Annual Conference, FIKR, takes place every year in different Arab countries. The event is a 2-day conference with an exhibition showcasing different institutions/projects in the Arab world.
The Arab Creativity Award, introduced in 2007, aims to honor the Arab pioneers, and talented innovators. Its financial value is estimated to 50.000 U.S. Dollars, in addition to a Medal Award and a Certificate of Appreciation. This year awards are being distributed in five categories, including Scientific Creativity, Media Creativity, Economic Creativity, Social Creativity and the aforementioned Artistic Creativity Award.
Abdulla Al-Muharraqi was born in Manama in 1939 and is one of the Arab artist pioneers, not only in Bahrain, but in the entire Arab region. He has held exhibitions in London, Paris, Madrid, Singapore and Algeria, as well as the GCC countries.
In addition to a number of international awards, Al-Muharraqi was the first recipient of the State of Bahrain Award for Arts in 1985, and has received recognition for his work as an artist and cartoonist at the Arab Businessmen Awards in the World Economic Forums in Sharm Al Sheikh and Davos. He is also the recipient of the Royal Skill Decoration from His Majesty, the King of Bahrain in 2007; and the Media Creativity Decoration and Award in 2008 at the Arab Media Conference in Kuwait.
Al-Muharraqi was appointed as art adviser to Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture, serving since 1963, and has been granted Bahrain’s State Award for Arts.