The event brought together a distinguished gathering including UNESCO Director-General Dr Khaled El-Enany, UAE Minister of Culture Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Ali Al Haj Al Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Mubarak Al Nakhi, alongside diplomats, ambassadors, artists, and intellectuals accredited to the international organisation.

Opening the ceremony, Abdullah Al Owais reflected on the award's remarkable journey, noting that it was fast approaching its third decade since its launch in 1998 — the year Sharjah was named Arab Capital of Culture — at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Owais described the cultural partnership between Sharjah and UNESCO as one that serves humanity at its core, saying that every edition renews feelings of pride as creators and thinkers take to the stage of recognition. He conveyed His Highness's personal congratulations to this year's laureates, affirming that the Ruler's literary, intellectual, and creative contributions had made culture a bridge between peoples and civilisations.

For his part, Dr. El-Enany praised the sustained patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, describing the award as an exceptional milestone in its 21st edition and a model of inspiring cultural collaboration. He affirmed that creativity remains the most powerful language for bringing peoples together, and that the award has become an integral part of UNESCO's broader mission to elevate the role of creativity in advancing human values and spreading knowledge and hope across the world.

Accepting his award with evident emotion, Brahim El Mazned said: "I stand before you in this great international institution that has made culture, dialogue, and civilisational diversity a global mission, receiving this honour from Sharjah — patron of culture and creators — with deep gratitude." He described the award as a tribute to collective effort, to all artists and cultural practitioners who believe that culture is not a luxury but a human and civilisational necessity. "Music has always been the language of encounter between peoples, and the language of peace in times of challenge," he added.

The Dhow Countries Music Academy, based in Zanzibar, extended heartfelt thanks to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, describing him as a patron of creative action not only across the Arab world but globally. The Academy, which has trained over 3,250 students in the past two decades, dedicates itself to preserving and promoting the musical heritage of the Swahili coast — particularly Taarab music — and described the award as their project's entry onto the world stage.

Established in 1998, the Sharjah-UNESCO Award for Arab Culture annually honours two individuals, groups, or institutions whose outstanding achievements advance knowledge of Arab art and culture. Now in its 21st edition, it endures as a testament to a vision that has never wavered: that culture is the surest path to understanding between nations.