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4th Reach Out To Asia Gala Dinner, A Spectacular Success Raising 13 Million USD for Education Development Projects in Asia & The Middle East

4th Reach Out To Asia Gala Dinner (Photo: Business Wire)

ROTA is a Qatari-based non-profit organization that empowers local communities by providing access to quality primary and secondary education for youth affected by crisis across Asia and the Middle East.

The glittering event at Doha's Katara Cultural Village welcomed 500 international VIPs, dignitaries and celebrities alongside the supporting Qatari society. Bringing a splash of glamour to the evening were HRH Prince Waleed bin Talal and his spouse HRH Princess Amira Al Taweel, Austrian President and his spouse, Hayat Al Fahed, Hussein Al Jassmi, Nawal, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Djamel Bouras, Khaled Mouzanar, Bader Jaffar; and Olympic Decathlon Gold Medallist, Bryan Clay from the US. Master of Ceremonies was 5-time Olympian Charmaine Crooks.

Gala Dinner guests were introduced to Shahzad, one of 3,000 Pakistani youth who participated in ROTA's 'Generation Amazing' football development program in partnership with Qatar2022 bid committee, who delivered an emotional speech recounting his experiences gained from this program.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdalla Al Thani, ROTA Ambassador commented in his recorded testimonial shown at the event, on the role that ROTA plays in empowering the youth: "I achieve my personal goals through natural ambition and by giving myself the right tools to fulfill those aims. In the same way, ROTA believes and recognizes that youth are the vehicles of change for our communities."

ROTA Chairperson Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani presented the ROTA Lifetime Achievement Award to His Excellency Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister, in recognition of his outstanding dedication and commitment to Qatar's progress.

H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassah commented, "ROTA is proud to honor H.E. Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Attiyah for his ceaseless efforts on behalf of the people of Qatar. His Excellency is a shining example to us and a proof that hard work, dedication and a bold vision can create a stable, prosperous and progressive society."

UAE singer-composer and UN Ambassador At Large, Hussein Al Jassmi and Grammy Award-winning Korean soprano Sumi Jo gave superlative performances to entertain the privileged audience.

Bringing the 4th ROTA Gala Dinner to a spectacular conclusion was a Charity Auction managed by world famous auction house Sotheby's and conducted by Lord Poltimore Sotheby's Europe Deputy Chairman.

Altruistic guests took the opportunity to purchase several unique auction items including a Porsche Panamera 4S Middle East Edition, a set of astonishing earrings donated personally by actress Angelina Jolie, VIP tickets for the FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid 'El Clasico' football match and works of art by acclaimed artists Richard Serra, Damien Hirst, Cai Guo Qiang, Matthew Day Jackson and Yousaf Ahmad. In addition, a work of art by children with special needs from Qatar's Al Koora Art project was auctioned off.

"In just six years, ROTA projects have provided 50,000 students with a quality education, created 7,000+ jobs, built or rehabilitated 406 schools and helped 1.5 million community members in 10 countries. Funds raised tonight will enable ROTA to continue working with partners, volunteers, and local communities to ensure thousands of children across Asia receive their basic human right of primary and secondary education," said ROTA Director, Mr. Essa Al Mannai

The 4^th ROTA Gala Dinner enjoyed the support of leading Qatari corporations: Msheireb Properties as the event Gold Sponsor, Qatar Petroleum as the Silver Sponsor, and Qatar Vinyl Company Limited as the Bronze Sponsor.

For further information, please visit our website www.reachouttoasia.org

*Source: ME NewsWire

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50105669&lang=en

Qatar Foundation
Passent El Soury, +974 44541634
Media Relations Coordinator
palsourie@qf.org.qa