The 2009 Opus Prize, which is awarded for the first time to an Arab Muslim woman, went to the Moroccan woman, Aicha Ec-Chenna, for her tremendous effort in helping single mothers to keep their babies and to promote the rights of mother and child.

This one million dollars prize rewards each year the individuals whose work inspires people to tackle some of the world’s serious social problems.

Ec-Chenna said that this award is “an international recognition of a local action.” And concerning the “Money will be spent to finance the association’s activities and will help strengthening the project and improve its action,”.

The other two finalists - Sister Valeriana García-Martín of Bogotá, Colombia, and Father Hans Stapel of Guaratinguetá, Brazil - each received $100,000 awards. Sister García-Martín provides health care for disabled children, while Father Stapel manages centres of drug addict

The prize is awarded through a partnership with universities or colleges to maximize the scope and impact of its mission. This year, the prize was granted in partnership with St. Thomas University.