UAE- Dh40 million raised from 'Reading Nation' charity auction

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Reading Nation initiative''s charity auction on Tuesday raised a staggering Dh37.4 million which will help donate 7.34 million books for needy children around the world.

An additional Dh3 million was raised in donations to Reading Nation at the auction.

The goal was to raise funds for five million books, but the sales of 24 items at the auction exceeded expectations.

Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated; and other senior officials attended the charity auction which was held at Madinat Jumeirah.

The auction saw the participation of 500 bidders.

An additional Dh3 million was donated by Shaikh Walid Al Ibrahim of MBC Group during the auction.

"The goal of raising funds for five million books was not easy. We are very happy to exceed our target and donate seven million books to open the doors of hope and raise knowledge for millions of children around the world," said Abdullah Al Mannei, managing director of Emirates Auction, which oversaw the auction.

According to him, total donations for Reading Nation has touched Dh73.4 million.

Pick of the items

The items on sale included a 106-year-old piece of the Holy Kaaba cover (Kiswa) embroidered with gold and silver threads belonging to Shaikh Mohammed. Paintings belonging to the Dubai Ruler were also auctioned off.

Ten distinguished telephone numbers, put up by etisalat and du, and five two-digit licence plates - L22, R10, T13, O70 and Q15 - given by the Roads and Transport Authority - were the other items on sale.

A Dubai Arabian Horse Stud was also put up an Arabian mare for the auction.

Former FNC speaker Mohammed Al Murr donated an ancient manuscript and a manuscript edition of the Holy Quran dating back to the 19th century for the auction. In addition, an old copy of the Holy Quran dating back three centuries was donated by Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention.

Successful bids

Emirati businessman Saif Ahmed Abdullah Bin Suroor Al Hammadi successfully bid on three items: The Holy Kaaba cover (Kiswa) that fetched Dh2.1 million; the one-year-old pure Arabian horse De Lamar that started at Dh100,000 and finally fetched Dh260,000; and the T13 car plate number that started at Dh2.09 million, which he bought for Dh5 million.

The 22-year-old told Khaleej Times: "My donation was not personal, it was on behalf of all Emiratis. The initiative gave us the chance to pay for something valuable that would go to the needy people."

He added that he bought the Kiswa as a gift for his mother, because "she is the reason behind all my achievements".

The item that won the highest bid was car plate number R10 that started off at Dh3.5 million and fetched Dh9.7 million.

Other distinguished plate numbers included Q15 that fetched Dh4 million; L22 that was auctioned off at Dh4.05 million; O70 that was sold for Dh2.8 million.

Reading Nation received Dh10 million on its first day. Donations included Dh3 million each from etisalat and du; Dh1 million each from Kanoo Group and Al Ansari Exchange; Dh300,000 from the heirs of Obaid Mohammed Al Helou; and Dh1.9 million through SMS messaging. Dubai Duty Free later donated Dh3 million, Emirates NBD gave Dh2 million, and Lulu Group donated Dh2 million.

The Reading Nation campaign will provide #5MillionBooks for refugee students and students in schools in need around the World.

- HH Sheikh Mohammed (HHShkMohd) June 5, 2016 We will provide children and students with two million books, establish 2,000 libraries and support educational and humanitarian programs.

- HH Sheikh Mohammed (HHShkMohd) June 5, 2016