Awards

2026 Jury

Meet the distinguished journalists and analysts volunteering their time to independently review entries and recognize exceptional work from and about MENA communities.

Reem Akkad

Managing Editor • The Marshall Project

Reem Akkad oversees The Marshall Project’s newsroom, with a focus on social, visual, and innovative storytelling. She previously spent a decade at The Washington Post in roles spanning original video, international editing, visual enterprise, and newsroom leadership, after eight years producing Fault Lines at Al Jazeera. Reem is Syrian-American, speaks fluent Arabic, and is an avid reader, writer, journaler, and Poshmark shopper.

Ahmad Damen

Editor

Ahmad Damen has held key editorial roles with NPR’s flagship shows and VOA’s podcast division, building on years as a producer and editorial lead across the Arab world. His multidisciplinary career spans documentaries, film composition, and investigative and narrative podcasts in English and Arabic. Outside journalism, he plays and teaches oud and is usually looking for his next great read.

Nariman El-Mofty

Freelance Photojournalist

Nariman El-Mofty is an award-winning documentary photographer, photojournalist, and photo editor. She was part of Associated Press teams that won Pulitzer Prizes for reporting on the war in Yemen and photographing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Most recently, she has contributed to The New York Times while continuing to teach, mentor, judge, and participate in photography workshops.

Yousef Munayyer, PhD

Head of Palestine/Israel Program & Senior Fellow • Arab Center Washington DC

Yousef Munayyer is Head of the Palestine/Israel Program and Senior Fellow at Arab Center Washington DC and serves on the editorial committee of the Journal of Palestine Studies. He previously led the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights and directed the Jerusalem Fund and Palestine Center. His writing appears widely in major news outlets, and he is a frequent commentator on U.S. and international media.

Yasmin Vossoughian

National Correspondent & Podcast Host • NBC News

Yasmin Vossoughian is an Emmy Award-winning national reporter for MSNBC who has covered major stories from the front lines in the U.S. and abroad. She previously anchored The Daily Share on HLN and reported for NY1 in New York City. A graduate of Occidental College, Vossoughian is fluent in French and Farsi.

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software