Dubai: A painting created by Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum will be auctioned next week to raise funds for the Dubai Cares campaign.
The auction has been arranged as part of Shaikha Manal's role in the charity drive launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikha Manal, President of Dubai Women Establishment, is drawing attention to the plight of girls and their struggle to gain access to education in poor countries.
Art and personal belongings from prominent UAE families will be up for auction on October 18 at the Emirates Towers Terrace.
Dubai Cares campaign, launched during Ramadan, will help educate one million children in poor countries. Shaikha Manal recently led a delegation of women from Dubai and women's organisations to Yemen to witness first-hand the situation on the ground in terms of children's primary education.
"The act of giving up a personal belonging for the cause of education is very symbolic - we are, essentially, detaching ourselves from the material for the sake of a cause that is human, universal and that goes beyond anything material. We hope the auction will raise the money we need to give these poor children the gift of education and knowledge, a gift that is both priceless and eternal," said Shaikha Manal.
Earlier this month, the American University in Dubai pledged to contribute Dh2 million to Dubai Cares campaign through donations raised by faculty, staff and students, and recently hosted a fundraising event titled Dubai Cares, AUD Cares.
The university has been holding a week-long campaign on campus to collect donations for Dubai Cares. The Indian Business and Professional Council held a suhoor attended by Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre.
In order to facilitate the collection of all contributions IBPC has opened a dedicated bank account at Bank of Baroda. Members and non-members can send crossed account payee "cheques" to IBPC made payable to "IBPC-Dubai Cares". For more information call the IBPC office at 04-3324300.
