Charity dinner in support of Emirates Red Crescent held in Dubai

DUBAI: A charity dinner event was held in Dubai recently in support of the Emirates Red Crescent and the UAE Compassion (Tarahamu) campaign, organised by Richmond Hughes Limit

ed, Gallery Ward and Nenu Tech.

The UAE Compassion (Tarahamu) campaign was launched earlier this year on the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to help Syrian refugees caught in the biting cold in the Levant this winter.

Pir Shafi Muhammad from Richmond Hughes, Yaser Askar and Maha Alsharif from the Gallery Ward welcomed the guests. Salem Bin Dasmal, Founder of the Silver Spoon Investments, was the major sponsor of the event.

Prominent personalities who graced the occasion included Misbah Ahmad, Vice President, Dun & Bradstreet South Asia Middle East Limited; Muhammad Kamal and Mr Hassan from Emirates Red Crescent; Kashif Arbab, CEO, Envestors, MENA — an affiliate of Capital Quantum; Ahmad A.Fahmy, Senior Projects Manager, Alico; Ivan Woods, Executive Director, Arqaam Capital; Shanka Abeywardene, Senior Director, Alpen Asset Advisers and Asela Abeywardene; Liv Baggen, Associate Director at Lawrie Shabibi; Pir Abdul Wahid, a prominent lawyer from Pakistan; Zafar Mahmood and Altaf Shah from the NTES Group; Jahangir Moghal, a senior immigration lawyer from Child & Child, UK; Maisoun Sharif, Muhammad Arif, Faisal Rehman from the BSI bank; Ali Walayat a senior banker, and others.

Welcoming the honourable guests, Pir Shafi Muhammad said: “It is an integral part of Richmond Hughes’ vision and mission to organise events aimed at making a positive contribution to the society and we thank Allah for all the blessings he has bestowed on us.”

The event showcased art pieces, including paintings, photographs and sculptures from the contemporary artists belonging mainly to the Middle East region. The guests and art connoisseurs were impressed with the modern trends depicted by the young and not-so young artists. They particularly evinced keen interest in the photograph ‘Dubai’ by Ayman Lotfy, the painting ‘Being’ by Irfan Gul Dahri and a bronze piece titled ‘Cat’ by Essam Darwish. 

The event was a resounding success both in terms of promoting current artists from the Arab world as well as generating proceeds to be spent on noble causes through the Tarahamu campaign and the Emirates Red Crescent.

Later, Pir Shafi Muhammad thanked all the participants and the event sponsor, Salem Bin Dasmal, for the memorable event.

The event was the first in a series of fundraising events for charity Richmond Hughes – a real estate investment company with a focus on the London property market — plans to organise in the Middle East and UK this year. Richmond Hughes hosted a similar fundraising event in London in December 2014, co-hosted by Lahd gallery. The event was attended by prominent personalities from London and funds were raised through an arts auction in support of Nishat Welfare Organisation and Caspian Arts Foundation.

The Red Crescent in Dubai has worked since its establishment to promote the spirit of solidarity and compassion among the community members, and thanks the support and assistance of the philanthropists and benefactors for its charitable programmes. It has crossed several milestones of providing services in the humanitarian field. The Emirates Red Crescent has expanded its programmes and activities to include all walks of life and various aspects of support and assistance for low-income (limited) and needy people and families.