(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The 20th edition of the Carpet and Art Oasis, a long-running attraction of Dubai Shopping Festival, recorded AED6 million in sales over its first week, which is the total value of the 614 handcrafted carpets that were sold in the first week.
Exhibiting 220,000 carpets valued at nearly AED2 billion, the Oasis attracted 4,000 visitors in the first week.
Abdul Hakeem Al Neaimi, Vice Chairman of the Carpet and Art Oasis organising committee, said that a Handcrafted Carpets Museum has been added to the Oasis's attractions this year to mark its 20th anniversary. The museum displays 44 rare rugs of historical value, estimated at AED140 million.
For the first time ever, the Carpet and Art Oasis exhibits "Al Mahmal Al Shami" (a ceremonial palanquin carried on a camel which was the centre piece of the pilgrim caravan to Mecca). The Mahmal, decorated with accessories, has the stamp of Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan and dates back to 1311 Hijri (1894 A.D.) .
One of the most prominent features in the Oasis is the H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Initiative.
Walied Jabarkhyl, FBMI's Executive Director, said, "FBMI is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of many Afghan women by providing resources, compassion and the opportunity for impoverished women to free themselves from economic hardship and take a leading role in Afghanistan's future." FBMI's aim is to create sustainable development by empowering women. The Initiative provides women with employment in the carpet production process, an industry in which they already possess skills. It also offers them and their families critical social services in healthcare and education. The result is an holistic effort whose benefits are seen not only in fruitful employment, but also in healthier and happier families and communities.
With 3,000 low income Afghans employed, FBMI has already achieved significant success in helping the people of Afghanistan to help themselves. It is testament to the vision and commitment of Her Highness that so much has been accomplished already, and how much more is to come.
Following the recent directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the immediate construction of an air bridge to deliver emergency relief supplies to a million Syrian refugees who are affected by the snow storm and the harsh winter conditions that hit the Levant area, the Carpet and Art Oasis Committee has set up donation outlets around the Oasis.
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