In a ceremony held at the Emirates Park Zoo
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Tuesday, June 11th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, owner of the Emirates Park Zoo praised the higher leadership for its prominent role in providing moral support to the creative citizens of the UAE. He emphasized that the State spares no effort or fund in order to support creative talents in all areas.
This was announced by Major General Al Nuaimi as part of the ceremony that was held to honor the Emirati National Dr. Montaser Al Mansouri who received the Merlin Award for Magic, instituted by the US-based International Magicians Society (IMS). It is noteworthy that he is the first Arabic magician to receive two consecutive Merlin Awards despite the difficult conditions and criteria.
Addressing the audience during the grand ceremony held at the Emirates Park Zoo in the Bahia region in Abu Dhabi, Al Nuaimi expressed his pleasure for Dr Montaser’s unique achievement. He also welcomed Mr. Tony Hassini, Chairman and CEO of the International Magicians Society, who flew in to hand over the Merlin Award to Dr. Montaser Al Mansouri.
"The exciting and wonderful performances presented by Dr. Al Mansouri have filled with joy the hearts of all visitors of the zoo, which worthily succeeded in developing the infrastructure of all areas, including tourism and entertainment”, he said. Moreover, he pointed out that the Emirates Park Zoo in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi actively contributes to the spreading of joy for citizens and residents alike.
"We are proud of our Emirati National who deservedly succeeded in leading this area of recreation. This confirms that the UAE’s young citizens are unique and creative and they are also capable of expressing gratitude to their homeland through their achievements and unique innovations”, he added.
For his part, Mr. Tony Hassini, Chairman and CEO of the International Magicians Society expressed his happiness for this unprecedented achievement; pointing out that Dr. Al Mansouri’s name is officially registered in the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
He added that the UAE and Lebanon are the only two Arab countries to obtain membership of the International Magicians Society.
Furthermore, Mr. Tony stated that this Academy Award, known as the Merlin Award, and is the Oscar of Magic, is given to leading magicians and experts in magic arts around the world, such as David Copperfield and other distinguished magicians, and has a significant moral value. . He noted that Al Mansouri is one of the best experts in this field in the Middle East region, and has presented more than 280 distinguished performances in the UAE in just two months, and he was given this prestigious award for the second consecutive time.
He pointed out that the Merlin Academy Award was given for the first time to Canadian "Doug Cambage" in 1968, and the Merlin Award statue was given to over 100 winners worldwide by 2013. Mansouri is the first magician to win this award in the Arab world.
For his part, Dr. Montaser Al Mansouri expressed his thanks to Major General Al Nuaimi for his kind patronage and support for the event; and for attending the award ceremony in the park which belongs to everyone. Finally, he expressed his happiness to obtain this second Oscar, following the one he received in May 2012.
Mr. Al Mansouri, who gave more than 70 thousand performances during 25 years, promised his audience a big surprise at the Emirates Park Zoo on December 2nd. "This surprise, which will astonish everyone, stems from his appreciation and love for the UAE", he said.
Photo caption:
Photo 1: Dr. Montaser Al Mansouri, the Emirati National, receiving the Merlin Award for Magic instituted by the US-based International Magicians Society (IMS).
Photos 2 & 3: Group Photo during the ceremony
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-908-5946
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
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