Dubai: More than Dh31 million was raised at an auction for Dubai Cares on Thursday night and Shaikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum received Dh5 million yesterday from Mohammad Ebrahim Obaidullah, a UAE businessman, bringing the total generated during the campaign to more than Dh1 billion.
The 'Signatures' Auction, held under the patronage of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Women's Establishment, saw items donated by Dubai's royal family go under the hammer.
A shirt worn by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he won an international endurance riding championship, fetched the highest bid of the evening, going for Dh17 million.
Sama Dubai Chairman Farhan Faraidooni placed the winning bid.
"Honestly, the shirt is priceless, but I wanted to contribute because Shaikh Mohammad is a true visionary and the shirt is a symbol of his leadership," Faraidooni told Gulf News.
The auction, held outdoors at the Emirates Towers Terrace, attracted various high profile personalities, including Hashim Al Dabbal, CEO of Dubai Properties, who placed the highest bid - Dh4.2 million - for a 300-year-old copy of the Holy Quran.
The item, which generated some of the most frenetic bidding, was donated by Abdul Rahman Al Owais, UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development.
Photos of children in some of the countries where the money from the auction will go towards primary education projects were projected onto buildings surrounding the Emirates Towers.
The total amount generated by the auction, updated throughout the evening along with total pledged towards the entire initiative, was projected onto the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) archway.
Manal's painting
A painting by Shaikha Manal, entitled 'Anticipation', was purchased by Saoud Baalawi, CEO of Dubai Investment Group, for Dh3.5 million and a watercolour painting by one of the UAE's most celebrated artists, Abdul Qader Al Raes, went for Dh1.2 million.
"We were hoping for a large amount to be generated through this event, so we are very satisfied," said Mohammad Al Emadi, the Dubai Cares project director.
"With only around 15 lots, we were selective about what we wanted to include, but we were keen to choose items that reflected different interests, from sports, to jewellery and art. It was all about the giving and being part of this campaign."
