Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Rota Board, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and other dignitaries at the 6th Annual
Over $15m was raised at the charity auction during the sixth biennial Reach Out To Asia (ROTA) Gala Dinner which marked Rota's tenth anniversary yesterday at Al Shaqab indoor arena. The exact amount raised at the auction will be revealed later.
Of the diverse items which went under the hammer at the auction conducted by Lord Poltimore, Europe Deputy Chairman of world famous auction house Sotheby’s, the most valued was a Qatari natural Jeewan pearl necklace. The rare necklace donated by Al Majed Jewellery is made up of 582 of Qatar's finest pearls of the same colour, quality, shape, size and lustre.
Other items which went on sale at the biennial event were a trip to space for two; Patek Philippe’s dome table clock donated by Al Majed Jewellery; a Hermès men’s trunk donated by Wissam Al Mana; as well as a 2017 BMW M3 30 Jahre Limited Edition donated by Al Fardan Automobiles, in addition to a Louis Moinet Mecanograph limited edition watch.
The event was held to provide funding to Rota's initiatives in various countries including education projects in support of Syrian refugees which consist of ‘Longing to Learn’ programme in Lebanon, the ‘I Had a Dream’ initiative in Jordan and ‘Project Tomorrow’ in Turkey. Other Rota initiatives that will receive funding include the ‘Opportunities for Life’ programme in Bangladesh, the ‘Bringing Back Hope’ project in Yemen and the ‘1 in 11’ campaign in Indonesia, in partnership with Unicef and FC Barcelona Foundation. Pledges were received during the auction for the said projects worth $15.4m which will directly benefit more than 180,000 children in those countries.
The event was attended by Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser as well as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the event, H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, Chairperson of Rota thanked all the people who supported Rota throughout its ten-year of existence implementing different educational initiatives that have helped thousands of children in 13 countries.
Sheikha Al Mayassa underscored the role of education to putting an end to conflict and providing a better future for millions of children around the world. She also pointed out Rota's various local programmes that help young citizens and residents in Qatar as well as Rota's participation internationally.
A highlight of the event was the bestowing of Lifetime Achievement Award to Ahmad Al Sawafiri from Gaza who despite losing his limbs from brutal attack, carries on his noble work educating children as a volunteer teacher.
Another feature of the event was the screening of a video tracing the journey of ROTA Ambassador Ghanim Al Muftah in helping other children in other countries. The prominent social media celebrity's skull cap was auctioned fetching $500,000 in total.
Hosted by popular Arab media personality Lojain Omran, the spectacular biennial gala dazzled with performance from 2014 Global Music Humanitarian Awardee Malek Jandali. The internationally acclaimed Syrian-American pianist and composer performed some of his compositions along with Laura Metcalf on cello and Abdulrahim Al Saidi on oud.
Qatar's leading youth choir, Siwar Choir capped the night's programme attended by local and regional celebrities, chief executives and owners of Qatar’s largest companies and senior government officials.
