Dubai: The Cultural Office of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, recently hosted the first edition of a newly launched annual Ramadan Majlis series at Dubai Ladies Club.
The inaugural edition of ‘The Cultural Office Ramadan Majlis’ brought together prominent figures and thought leaders in a dialogue entitled ‘Art for a Cause’, which was led by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation.
The majlis was attended by guest of honour Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation, top officials and dignitaries.
As part of this first edition, Al Qassemi led an informative talk about the impact of art in the charity sector, and participants engaged in a question-and-answer session.
The ‘Art for a Cause’ edition of the majlis continues The Cultural Office’s ongoing work to launch and support philanthropic initiatives, such as the ‘Selah Art Programme’. The year-long initiative, designed to help children communicate their emotions using artistic expression, concluded this month, culminating in an exhibition of the children’s artworks at Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue, which were also on display during the majlis.
Mona Bin Kalli, director of The Cultural Office, said the Ramadan Majlis “will provide a key platform for influential figures to come together each year and embrace as well as support the development of the arts by actively participating, and exchanging their opinions and ideas.”
Al Qassemi added that the initiative is “a welcome blend between the vibrant art and culture scene in Dubai and the spirituality of the holy month. I would like to thank the Cultural Office of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad in highlighting the importance of giving to humanitarian causes not only in Ramadan but around the year.”
