Less than a week after performing at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt, Sting was named a recipient of the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity cross-cultural understanding award.

The Arab American Institute will honor the British rocker on May 5 in Washington, D.C. for his "commitment to indigenous people and the environment, as well as his efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding," AAI spokesperson Jenny Salan told the Associated Press on Sunday.

Brand New Day, Sting's 1999 album, features Arabic instruments and lyrics. The hit single "Desert Rose" is one such track, which he recorded with Algerian rai artist Cheb Mami.

"Sting is obviously one of those extraordinary individuals who uses his talent to raise awareness and bring people together," AAI President James Zogby told the AP.

The Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity award, which will also be presented to the volunteer educational organization Reading Is Fundamental, among others, is named for the Lebanese-American author of "The Prophet."

In the past, the award has gone to former Senator George Mitchell, for working on a peace deal in Northern Ireland in 1997; the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights, for its role in promoting democracy and human rights; and to the YWCA, for fighting racial intolerance.

Earlier this year, the Chilean government presented Sting with the Gabriela Mistral Medal for meeting with human rights groups there.