Reading Nation Ramadan Campaign to Hold Charity Auction under Directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

• Vice President donates 106-year-old piece of Kaba cover (Kiswah) from official collection to auction
• A collection from HH office Arts Pieces to be part of the auction
• Gergawi: Reading Nation Ramadan campaign garners 3 million books to date
• Gergawi: His Highness’s initiatives have benefitted more than 17 million students in the past 10 years 

Dubai, UAE, June 16, 2016:   Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, a charity auction will be held to support the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign. The humanitarian campaign was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed on the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and aims to provide five million books to underprivileged children in refugee camps and around the world in addition to establishing 2,000 libraries in schools globally. 

To be held on June 21 at Madinat Jumeirah, the charity auction will be curated and conducted by Emirates Auction. In a gesture of solidarity and support to the charity auction, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed is donating items from his official collection that includes a 106-year-old piece of the Kaba cover (Kiswa), embroidered with gold and silver threads. This is part of the cover presented by Abbas II Hilmi Bey, Khedive of Egypt in 1331 Hijri. The Vice President is also donating a collection of Art Pieces from his office to the auction > 

His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi, Secretary General of Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives, and Chairman of the Executive Office, said: “The support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to spreading the reading habit and to knowledge sharing is truly limitless. This support is not exclusive to the Ramadan campaign or to this charity auction, but has included establishing knowledge-advancing institutions that have benefited millions of students, such as Dubai Cares and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. 

“He has also launched large-scale initiatives and contests, such as the Arab Reading Challenge in which over 3.5 million students participated. Under his directive, the UAE has also presented Arabic Language awards and launched the largest library in the Arab world. Such initiatives certainly reinforce His Highness’ role as one of the most influential leaders in the Arab world today in the cultural and knowledge fronts. Over 17 million students have benefited from these initiatives in the last 10 years.”  

He added: “The Reading Nation Ramadan campaign launched by His Highness at the beginning of Ramadan is now approaching three million books, with two million remaining for us to complete our ambitious targets.

“We expect that this charity auction to be a resounding success, especially with the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the participation of national and international leaders and personalities who believe in the significance of knowledge and learning in changing people’s lives and saving them from poverty.” 

The Reading Nation Ramadan campaign has drawn the wide-scale participation of government entities, public and private sector organizations in the UAE, educational and retail establishments and the community at large.
 
Etisalat and Du Telecommunications have dedicated toll-free numbers through which individuals can make donations to the campaign throughout Ramadan, while the Emirates Red Crescent and Dubai Cares receive donations through their bank accounts, branch locations, and donation kiosks across the country. 

In addition, the UAE Ministry of Education has organized events and activities to encourage students to donate books, that will be sent to children and students in refugee camps.

National media organizations, such as Abu Dhabi Media, Dubai Media Incorporated, Arab Media Group and national Arabic and English newspapers and publications have joined the campaign through covering events and activities held by participating entities. 

For more information about the Reading Nation Ramadan campaign or for contact numbers, please visit www.readingnation.ae.