An Indonesian Muslim who preaches religious tolerance and a crusading governor from the Philippines are among the winners of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award. A Thai man who makes prosthetic limbs from recycled plastic bottles was also honoured at the awards. Mr Ahmad Shafii Maarif, retired leader of one of Indonesia’s biggest Muslim organisations the Muhammadiyah, was named winner for promoting peace and international understanding. The Magsaysay foundation said the 73-year-old had spent his life preaching religious tolerance and had stressed terrorism was ‘not the authentic face of Islam’. Mr Therdchai Divacate, 68, of Thailand won the public service prize for making affordable, yet practical prosthetic limbs available to the poor. His work included making prosthetics out of recycled plastic and setting up mobile workshops to make customised artificial legs in rural areas. The Magsaysay awards, established in 1957, are named after the popular Philippine president who died in a plane crash that year. They are presented annually, with each winner receiving a cash prize of about US$50,000 (S$68,456). The awards ceremonies will be held in Manila on August 31.
INDONESIAN PEACE ACTIVIST WINS MAGSAYSAY AWARD
An Indonesian Muslim who preaches religious tolerance and a crusading governor from the Philippines are among the winners of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award. A Thai man who makes prosthetic limbs from recycled plastic bottles was also honoured at the awards.
