Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited a charity art exhibition organised by Noor Dubai Foundation in Burj Khalifa area.
Shaikh Mohammad inspected a number of art pieces by local, Arab and Muslim artists, among them the works of blind Turkish artist Esraf Armagan, who donated three portraits to Noor Dubai. Esref also presented to Shaikh Mohammad a portrait of Burj Khalifa that he drew before him.
Shaikh Mohammad was briefed by Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority and Chairman of Noor Dubai Foundation, on the goals behind organizing such charity art exhibitions. Al Murooshid said that the exhibition aims to support activities of Noor Dubai to treat patients with eye problems in poor Islamic and non Islamic countries, which currently amount to six million patients.
Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO of Noor Dubai Foundation, said that the 31 portraits being displayed in the exhibition were painted by 29 artists, and will be sold in an auction that will be held tomorrow (Monday). The proceedings will be used as donations for Noor Dubai’s activities.
Shaikh Mohammad expressed his admiration for the artists’ charitable humanitarian initiative, and said that their participation reflects the spirit of national cohesion and social solidarity between all segments of the UAE community that is rich with the noble Islamic and Arab values.
Shaikh Mohammad said that art is a humane and social message that plays a big role in interaction between countries, as well as shedding light on a people’s heritage and social traditions. He said that art builds bridges of peace between communities without discrimination based on their ethnicity, race, language or religious background.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and other senior officials accompanied Shaikh Mohammad.
