Since its founding, AlManarah Association has received numerous awards and recognitions—both in Israel and internationally—as a testament to its groundbreaking impact in advancing the rights of people with disabilities and transforming Israeli society.
Fellowship of ASHOKA
In 2009, AlManarah’s founder and CEO, Attorney Abbass Abbass, became the first Arab-Israeli fellow of Ashoka—a global network of leading social entrepreneurs committed to solving deep-rooted social challenges. His selection was an international recognition of AlManarah’s groundbreaking vision and Abbass’s contribution to social justice, equality, and accessibility.
United Nations Special Advisor
In 2016, AlManarah was granted consultative status at the United Nations, thanks to its broad international activity and its role in promoting the rights of people with disabilities. It joined ECOSOC (the UN Economic and Social Council), contributing to global discourse and shaping policies on human rights, inclusion, and sustainable development.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award
In May 2017, AlManarah’s digital accessible library was awarded the prestigious “Best Initiative Award” by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to promoting the Arabic language and making knowledge accessible to entire communities across the Arab world.
The Zero Project Award
In February 2018, the AlManarah Library was honored by Zero Project as one of the world’s most outstanding initiatives in providing accessible information for persons with disabilities. The recognition was presented at the international Zero Project Conference held at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna.
