Exclusive interview with the 2014 Islamic Economy Award winner

Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, Teshkeel Media Group for the category of “Media”

Organised by

Congratulations! How did you feel when you found out you had won an Islamic Economy Award?

I felt honored and humbled, especially on knowing that I would receive the award from HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai whom I admire as an entrepreneur and as a role model.

Describe the work you do that has been recognized with an Islamic Economy Award.

I am the creator of THE 99, the first group of comic superheroes born of an Islamic archetype. THE 99 was created in order to help reshape the negative perception of Islam with underlying messages of peace, tolerance and teamwork within diversity. While there is never any mention of religion in THE 99, each of the superheroes has a power based on one of the 99 attributes of Allah. The concept of THE 99 is that each of these attributes in humans, albeit in a much lesser degree. Qualities like mercy, generosity, love, compassion, wisdom, kindness etc. are values everyone can identify with, regardless of faith. Basically values that Muslims share with the rest of humanity.

In 2010, THE 99 superheroes stood cape-to-shoulder in a crossover series with DC Comics’ Batman, Superman and the other members of the Justice League of America, which received a shout out from President Obama.

What’s been the biggest change for you and your work since winning the Islamic Economy Award?

My work is never without challenges. When you are recognized you are always admired by some and fought by others who become aware of your work so it’s a constant struggle.

Has winning the Islamic Economy Award increased your public profile and exposure?

Absolutely. Its not everyday one gets recognized by one of the greatest role models of the 21st

century.

Have you won other awards?

Yes.

The UNESCO Prize for Literature in the Service of Tolerance

The Festival Internacional de Humour e

Quadrinhos Comics Award presented at

Cartoons & Comics Festival in Brazil

The Ecademy Award from Columbia

University School of Business

The Eliot-Pearson Award for Excellence

in Children's Media from Tufts

University, USA

The United Nations Alliance of

Civilizations "Marketplace of Ideas"

Award

Exclusive interview with the 2014 Islamic Economy Award winner

Dr. Naif al-Mutawa, Teshkeel Media Group for the category of “Media”

Organised by

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai awarding Chris Blauvelt, CEO of LaunchGood for the category of “SME Development” in the 2014 Islamic Economy Award.

(Continued from top answers)

The Schwab Foundation Social

Entrepreneurship Award, 2009

presented at the World Economic Forum

on the Middle East, Dead Sea, Jordan

The Intersector for Business & Religion

Award received from Intersections

International, June 2010

The Halal Journal Award received at the

World Halal Forum, June 2010

I have also been listed by:

Arabian Business as one of The 500

Most Powerful Arabs in the World

Gulf Business as one the Top 100 Most

Powerful Arabs for 2012 and 2013

The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies

Center as one of the 500 Most

Influential Muslims in The World every

year from 2009-2015

Forbes China as one of the Seven Most

Influential Designers in the World (Steve

Jobs was number 1)

A Young Global Leader of the World

Economic Forum

Submissions are now open for the 2015 Islamic Economy Award. To apply visit

www.IslamicEconomyAward.com

Submissions are open until

30 July 2015