The Social Development Centre’s eighth charity gala dinner, held yesterday under the patronage of HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Qatar Foundation chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, raised QR7.8mn through the auction of a unique set of collector’s items. The gala dinner took place at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
HH the Emir and HH Sheikha Moza, who attended the event, also inaugurated the Al Khor office of the SDC by pressing a button. Ministers, senior government officials and other public figures were among those present. The Brazilian-themed gala dinner was aimed to raise funds for the SDC’s entrepreneurial programmes.
Auction items included a letter written by Mahatma Gandhi, the founding father of India, dated 1931, and a jersey signed by retired Brazilian football legend Pele. But the surprise item was the spectacles of HH the Emir that were auctioned as the last item. The total amount raised through the gala dinner will be revealed by the SDC officials later. The event was held in partnership with ExxonMobil Qatar.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nora bint Ali al-Hanzab, vice chairperson of the board of trustees, said it was a great sense of pride to host the eighth gala dinner with the presence many of Qatar’s decision-makers and professionals.
“Over 15 years, SDC has led the way in catering to the individual and business needs of communities in Qatar,” she said.
“As the main social development branch of Qatar Foundation, we have the Qatar National Vision 2030 at the heart of SDC’s various social awareness campaigns, social studies and research, career counselling services, and loans and funding initiatives.”
She added that the gala dinner would help the centre enhance its entrepreneurial programmes.
Bart Cahir, president and general manager, ExxonMobil in Qatar, said: “We feel honoured to join hands yet again with an organisation like SDC to host their eighth gala dinner. SDC’s gala dinner is more than just a prominent charity event – it is the centre’s way to support entrepreneurship, which plays a crucial role in developing Qatari society and economy.”
He said that it was gratifying to support SDC’s objective of building stable and self-reliant families in Qatar.
The event, themed on Qatar-Brazil friendship, reinforced some of the common strategic goals and bilateral ties that bind the two countries such as hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting events and actively promoting global environmental change. The evening featured musical and artistic performances, including a freestyle football performance by Brazilian and Qatari entertainers, an acapella group and a show by international dance troupe, Brazilian Fantasy.
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