DUBAI: The Arab Media Forum has honored veteran Saudi journalist Abdulrahman Al-Rashed with the Media Personality of the Year award, which was handed to him by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice president and ruler of Dubai.

The famous Saudi writer and columnist is Al-Arabiya’s former general manager and currently a board member of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), the parent company of Arab News.

Al-Rashed is also former editor in chief of the leading Arabic daily Asharq Al-Awsat, where he still regularly writes a column. Asharq Al-Awsat is the sister publication of Arab News. Al-Rashed has also served as the editor in chief of Al-Majalla magazine.

The award was presented during the Arab Journalism Awards ceremony, which coincided with the conclusion of the two-day 15th Arab Media Forum.

A short documentary about Al-Rashed’s journalistic life was played during the event.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

Fifteen winners representing daily newspapers, magazines, online web portals, and media organizations from Arab and Western states were honored at the ceremony, from among more than 5,500 nominees.