Khalaf Named Arab Visual Media Personality for 2000

May 1, 2001 Adham Center graduate Daniela Khalaf (1994) was named one of five Arab Visual Media Personalities for 2000 at the first Arab Media Awards ceremony in Dubai.

Khalaf, an MBC Jerusalem correspondent, was honored for her Intifada coverage at the April 30 ceremony, attended by hundreds of dignitaries and media personalities from all over the region. Twenty-two television and print journalists were honored in all.

"It was a wonderful surprise to receive the award," Khalaf said, "because of the meaning it carried: that Palestinian journalists are working under unbelievably harsh conditions, yet are very professional in producing their work."

The Arab Media Awards are sponsored by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who announced the idea at the launch of the Dubai Press Club in November 1999. The awards ceremony was preceded by a one-day media forum, which, Khalaf said, gave her and her Palestinian colleagues a chance to meet with other Arab journalists to discuss Intifada coverage, online journalism, press freedom, and other topics.

Gulf News reported that the "most emotional moment" of the ceremony was when Khalaf received her award from Sheikh Mohammed, right, and Ibrahim Nafie, Al-Ahram editor and chairman of the awards committee. (photo © Gulf News, Dubai)