Baghdad, Iraq. Under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Eng Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, and hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office, Tamayouz Excellence Award held its biennale awards ceremony at Madrassa Al-Mustansiriya in Baghdad.
The ceremony took place as part of the first edition of the Arab Architecture Festival – HEAR Baghdad 2025, held from 1–4 October 2025, in celebration of Baghdad’s designation as the Arab Capital of Tourism 2025.
The ceremony gathered high-level government officials, diplomats, representatives of professional organisations, universities, architects, academics, and guests from Iraq and abroad to honour the winners of Tamayouz Excellence Award.
Founded in 2012 by Ahmed Al-Mallak, Tamayouz Excellence Award is the first architecture awards programme to emerge from Iraq. Over the years, it has grown into a leading international platform for architectural excellence and cross-cultural dialogue.
The evening began with a warm reception of the distinguished guests, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr Turath Jamil, the festival’s programme coordinator and master of ceremonies. Among the attendees were Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, Iraq’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr Aref Al-Saadi, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Cultural Affairs.
The ceremony commenced with the opening of the exhibition of the late architect Rifat Chadirji, inaugurated by Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi, accompanied by Mrs Balqis Sharara, Chadirji’s wife.
Dr Jamil then invited Dr Aref Al-Saadi to deliver the opening address. This was followed by remarks from Ahmed Al-Mallak, Founding Director of the Tamayouz Excellence Award, who highlighted the award’s journey, achievements, and future vision. He then invited Ossaid Aleitan, Tamayouz MENA Coordinator, to introduce the winners. The prizes were then presented by Dr Naeem Al-Aboudi and Ahmed Al-Mallak.
The ceremony celebrated the winners of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Dewan Award for Architecture, whose jury was live at the Iraqi Engineers Union for the first time as part of the Arab Architecture Festival.
Among the awards celebrated were:
- The Architecture Graduation Projects Award (2023–2024): honouring students, supervising professors, and universities.
- Dewan Award for Architecture: honouring the winners of the New Basra Waterfront (2023), the Iraq Pavilion (2024), and Re-Imagining the Baghdad Central Station (2025).
- Mohammed Makiya Prize for Architecture (2024): Winner – Dr George Arbid, Lebanon.
- Tamayouz Women in Architecture and Construction Awards 2024; Rising Star: Winner – Dr Hala Asslan, Syria. Women of Outstanding Achievements: Winner – Hana Alamuddin, Lebanon; Highly Commended – Amal Abuelhawa, Palestine; Finalists – Sumaya Dabbagh, KSA, Dr Eman Assi, Palestine.
- Dia Al-Azzawi Prize for Public Art (2024) – Winner: Site Specific Installation ‘Us, Her, Him’ – Qatar, by Najlaa Al Zain, received on her behalf by Mr Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums; Finalist: Architectural Installation ‘Borderline’, Amman, by Mais Al-Azab.
- Tamayouz Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) – Winner – Dr Abdelwahed El-Wakil, Egypt.
The evening concluded with a celebration of the laureates and contributors whose work continues to shape architectural discourse across the Arab world and beyond.
Arab Architecture Festival Sponsors
Host and Patron: The Office of the Prime Minister of Iraq
Professional Partner: Iraqi Engineers Union
Media Partner: ArchDaily
Iraqi Universities’ Workshop – Student Hosts: Al-Nahrain University and the University of Technology
Tamayouz Award Sponsors
99 Properties Development, Coventry University, The Iraqi Business Council in Jordan, Kufa–Makiya Charity, Dewan Architects + Engineers, Bonair Ltd, Aji Group, and Round City Magazine.