Emirati poet and journalist Khalid Al Dhanhani, has won Dr. Abdul Kalam Global Award for Excellence for his contributions to socio-cultural field.

He is the first Arab poet to win this global award for his cultural and social work, and for building bridges between the UAE and India for cultural communications.

Started in 2015 by an Indian organisation called Wings of Hope, the award is bestowed annually to leading figures in various fields for helping to make the world a better place. It aims to inspire leaders around the world to work on the vision of the late Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam towards sustainability in social, cultural and economic development and to be "Wings of Hope" for the mankind.

Al Dhanhani received the award in a ceremony held at the Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Sayed Ali Al Hashimi, Adviser for Religious and Judicial Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Emirati businesswoman Moza Saeed Al Otaiba, Dr. Saif Almeili, and a number of Indian dignitaries.

"I am delighted to receive this prestigious Indian award, which I present to the UAE’s wise leadership for inspiring excellence and innovation in all areas. The award motivates me to do more for my homeland and humanity in general," Al Dhanhani said upon receiving the award.