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Auction of 37 camels helps raise Dh4.73m

DUBAI - Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Foundation had the distinction of being the biggest and active bidder at the recently-held Camel Caravan Charity Auction, having bought 30 hand-painted fibreglass camels for Dh3.465 million.

This was revealed on Wednesday at a Press conference addressed by Colonel Saeed Mattar bin Bleilah, Director of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), and Hussain Al Jaziri, Secretary of the Dubai Rotary Club.

Also present at the event was Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, CEO, Dubai Shopping Festival.

Col. Bin Bleilah officially announced that a total of Dh4.73 million was raised at the Charity Auction through the sale of 37 camels on May 22.

The event was held under the patronage and attendance of Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Chairman of Emirates, Honorary President of the Dubai Rotary Club and Chairman of the DSF Supreme Committee.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Foundation, headed by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, for its support to the Camel Caravan and its participation in the auction," Col. Bin Bleilah said.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charity Foundation bagged `Dubai Dream' by Loretta Bilinskaite-Burke and Jenjira Prasertsin, which was auctioned for Dh350,000.

He added: "I would like to express my gratitude to Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his patronage and attendance at the event.

"The results of the auction were completely beyond our expectations."

The costliest bid, worth Dh 350,000, was for a camel nicknamed `Emirates Banker 2' which was won by Emirates Bank.

Latifa College designed their camel spoof of a British Banker with a great sense of humour.

He is properly dressed with a bowler hat and balances a briefcase full of money on his back.

It may be recalled that Latifa College had to do a replica of `Emirates Banker' which had disappeared in front of Emirates Towers along Shaikh Zayed Road in mid-February this year.

A small camel, which had the autograph of world's top golf player Tiger Woods, was auctioned for Dh 75,000.

Camels were auctioned between a price tag of Dh45,000 and Dh350,00.

The auction was held under the auspices of Christie's of London.

The gala dinner held during the auction, organised to mark the second anniversary of Dubai Rotary Club, was attended by over 670 businessmen, VIPs, counsels and diplomats.

Mr Al Jaziri, for his part, described the high-profile event as "a magical night", the proceeds of which will go to charities in the UAE as well as other international charities such as Medecins San Frontieres, Afghan Children's Fund and Al Nahda Philanthropic Society of Saudi Arabia, among others.

He explained that of the 80 camels which had adorned the streets and major landmarks of Dubai since DSF 2004, 37 fibre glass camels were sponsored by individuals or companies.

Some 20 camels were sponsored by the DSF itself. Some five camels which were sponsored were bought back by the sponsors, and the amount was added to the proceeds of the auction.

"The auction showcased great harmony between art, business community, and charity activities. The event was aimed at serving the society, and the tremendous response will help in encouraging similar initiatives in the future," Mr Al Jaziri stressed.

• UAE