Islamic Relief (IR) Palestine has been presented with an International Award for Excellence and Creativity for its humanitarian work with the Palestinian people.

The award, which includes a prize of $15,000, was given in the ‘best Palestinian institution’ category and was presented at a ceremony held in Ramallah on November 2 2008 and chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas.

“This award is an encouragement for more diligent efforts and a step forward to giving more to the vulnerable people in Palestine,” said IR Palestine’s head of mission Mohammed Al Sousi.

The prize money will be used to begin a capacity-building project with local Palestinian NGOs, Al Sousi said.

The award, which is in its second year, attempts to present a more positive image of Palestine and its people than is usually presented to the world and recognises national institutions, individuals and projects which are committed to excellence and creativity in their daily activities.

“The media has been concentrating on armed conflict, killings and corruption,” general secretary of the awards Abdul Malik Jaber told journalists at a press conference held in Ramallah.

“There is another form of resistance to the occupation. In spite of the difficulties Palestinians live under, they can still be creative and contribute something brilliant to society.”

IR was measured against a series of yardsticks, including areas such as strategic planning, creative initiatives, social responsibility, service and results.

Guests included James Wolfensohn, former president of the World Bank and former representative of the international peace quartet for Middle East Peace, Peter Hansen, former director of the United Nations Relief Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) and Ahmad Muhammad Ali, president of the Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank.

For more information on IR’s work in Palestine click here.