I Arab Music Stars Unite In Dubai To Raise Money For Children’s Cancer Care In Lebanon

By Samar Khouri

• MEDIA COVERAGE •

Arab Music Stars Unite In Dubai To Raise Money For Children’s Cancer Care In Lebanon

The star-studded gala event featured performances from Mohamed Ramadan and Issam Alnajjar, among others, with a live celebrity auction making $177,000 in total across 10 lots.

The pandemic may have overshadowed live events for a while, but it hasn’t dented charitable giving from celebrities, world leaders, public figures, and philanthropists. As the world opens up, high-profile charity events are again taking to the stage to promote change and encourage donations. For example, the 24-hour round-the-world Global Citizen Live event in September 2021 united some of the biggest names in music to raise awareness about major global challenges, such as climate change, famine, and vaccine inequality. And two months later, on November 4, the Coca- Cola Arena in Dubai hosted a charity gala for the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), seeded with a cohort of 900 Arab and international A-listers gathered to raise funds to help provide access to quality cancer treatment.

Supported by the International Humanitarian City, the exclusive, star-studded CCL event—which had previously been postponed twice due to the pandemic—was backed by its ambassador, former beauty queen Rima Fakih. “[I’m] so happy this gala was a great success as it helped raise awareness and generous donations for children with cancer,” says Fakih. The gala also featured a charity auction, auctioning off 10 lots, from a custom-made Dolce & Gabbana fuchsia leopard print satin down puffer jacket worn by Doja Cat, to the guitar featured in Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 Alnajjar’s hit “Hadal Ahbek” music video and exclusive and limited edition 2020 super bowl jacket autographed by The Weeknd. The auction generated around $177,000 in total, and the funds raised in this year’s event exceeded any funds raised so far by any of CCCL’s events in one night. “I See the Dream” painting that appeared in Massari and Ali Gatie’s video clip fetched for around $32,000 – the highest bid at the event.

Fakih is no stranger to making a change on her own terms. She made history in 2010 by becoming the first Arab-American woman to be crowned Miss USA. For the last decade, she has been using her success to empower Arab women as well as shine an international spotlight on crisis- hit Lebanon and the cancer center. “My involvement with the center goes back to 2012 but I’m particularly blessed to have been there the past two years amid all the chaos caused by the pandemic,” she says. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither does the CCCL.”

Inaugurated in April 2002, CCL offers cancer treatment to children from Lebanon and the wider region. Its latest charity event came amid a ramped-up events schedule in the U.A.E., hot on the heels of the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai. It is part of a string of philanthropic initiatives initiated by

Rima & Sal with CCCL Board members

Mohamed Ramadan Ali Gatie Massari

Fakih and her husband, music industry executive, Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, to support Lebanon.

In the aftermath of the August 2020 port explosion that devastated swathes of the capital, they raised more than $1.2 million in cash and pledges with their “Global Aid for Lebanon” campaign—in collaboration with WFP USA, Global Citizen, Red Cross Lebanon, and the CCCL—to raise funds for the victims. They kicked off the campaign with a $250,000 personal donation. In April 2021, Fakih was appointed to the WFP USA Board of Directors.

“I was very excited to take part in this event and to help my wife Rima carry out this mission that is so dear to her heart. As a father of three, children’s wellbeing and health are crucial to me,” says Slaiby, whose new Universal Arabic Music (UAM) record label supported the event.

Over the last 19 years, CCCL has treated more than 2,600 children, with an annual budget of $15 million. It has also held a number of fundraising gala dinners and charity events in several countries, including the U.A.E., Kuwait, and London. This year’s event was hosted by Lebanese comedian and TV presenter Hisham Haddad. Stars including Mohamed Ramadan, Alie Gatie, Guy Manoukian, Balqees Fathi, Mayssa Karaa, Issam Alnajjar, Elyanna, and Mohammed Assaf all performed to show their support. “Our fundraising gala dinner in Dubai was a huge success this year thanks to the involvement of different committed and devoted parties who hold the center’s cause and mission very close to their hearts,” says CCCL Chair, Cesar Bassim.

“Our supporters in Dubai and the U.A.E. in general never hesitate to respond to CCCL’s needs and help us achieve our mission of saving the lives of patients with cancer,” adds CCCL General Manager Hana Chaar Choueib.

The CCCL is currently supporting almost 50% of all children and adolescents with cancer in Lebanon and the surrounding region, according to Bassim, and has increased its capacity by 60% to cope with the increased need. At the event, the CCCL Chair thanked Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi and The Big Heart Foundation for her approximately $1.6 million worth of donations of needed medication.

Jordanian teenage sensation, Issam Alnajjar, says that the event was his first red carpet experience, which was made more special by it being a charity gala. “The idea of being an artist and performing on stage to entertain people is great, but what’s even more rewarding is using my voice, image and music to contribute to a good cause,” he adds.

Lebanese-Canadian musician Massari, who helped organize the event and took to the stage to perform, says it was a dream come true to be able to unite in support of the center. “I’m happy I was able to help in organizing the event with the stars and supervisors whom I thank for their presence and compassion,” he stresses. “I hope everyone will go back to his humanity, and we all work hand-in-hand to achieve our dream of changing the world into a better place.”

Digital Qatar Symposium & Awards 2021

Forbes Middle East hosted its inaugural Digital Qatar Symposium and Awards 2021, under the patronage of the Ministry of Communications & Technology Qatar and in partnership with Dukhan Bank, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), and the Qatar Smart Program (TASMU) on December 8, 2021.

Her Excellency Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development at the Ministry of Communications and Technology, and Khalid Al-Subeai, Chief Executive Officer at Dukhan Bank, commenced the event with keynote speeches. The symposium was organized to discuss and map out Qatar’s digital transformation journey thus far and to highlight how future investments in innovations, technology, entrepreneurship, and the startup world can boost the country’s economy. The live-streamed event consisted of three panel discussions, followed by an awards ceremony.

His Excellency Sheikh Mansoor bin Khalifa AlThani and Daniyal Baig, Chief Operating Officer at Forbes Middle East, were invited onstage to present the awards. The ceremony was held to honor the companies that have significantly contributed to the growth of the Qatari economy and the overall prosperity of Qatar. The companies whose efforts were acknowledged and rewarded were selected from three categories: Most-Funded Startups in Qatar, Top Unlisted Companies in Qatar, and the Most Valuable Listed Companies in Qatar.

Under The Patronage of Powered By Thought Leadership Partner Supporting Partner

H.E. Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, Ministry of Communications and Technology Dukhan Bank

H.E. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Founder & Chairman, MBK Holdings QNB Group Khalid Al-Subeai, CEO, Dukhan Bank

Daniyal Baig, Chief Operating Officer at Forbes Middle East Masraf Al Rayan (MAR) Dibsy

Snoonu Aamal Company

Baladana Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) Qatar Insurance Company

Digital Next – The Evolution of Qatar’s Digital Landscape: (L-R) Jad Elias, Partner, Kearney Qatar. • Dr. Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, CEO, Qatar National Broadband Network (QNBN) • Syed Shahid Ahmad, Head of a Transaction Banking & Innovation, Dukhan Bank • Eman Al Kuwairi, Head of Emerging Technology, TASMU Ministry of Communications & Technology • Abeer Faleh Al-Hajiri, Chief Information Officer, Ashghal-Public Works Authority

Digital Disruption of Finance – Big Tech, Banks, and Fintech: (L-R) Hasan Askari, Director, Qatar Fintech Hub • Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, Chief Financial Sector Officer, Qatar Financial Center • Narayan Srinivasan, Chief Operating Officer, Dukhan Bank • Ahmed Isse, CEO & Cofounder, Dibsy

Nurturing the Startup Ecosystem in Qatar: (L-R) Omar Shaath, TASMU Platform Manager, Ministry of Communications & Information Technology • Ashraf Abuissa, Chairman, Abuissa Holding • Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of Finance, Qatar Development Bank • Hayfa Al-Abdulla, Innovation Director, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) • Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, Cofounder & CEO, Snoonu

• THOUGHTS ON •

“Everybody starts small. We all begin life as a single cell. Every business starts as one person with an idea. How fast you go, how far you get, is in your hands. The bigger your vision, the bigger your achievement will be. Will you stumble on the way? Perhaps, but we cannot let fear keep us small. We have to be brave to be big.” —Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai

“If you’re trying to create a company, it’s like baking a cake. You have to have all the ingredients in the right proportion.” —Elon Musk

“I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” —Jeff Bezos

“The great personal fortunes in this country weren’t built on a portfolio of fifty companies. They were built by someone who identified one wonderful business.” —Warren Buffett “The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of a mistake.” — Meg Whitman

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” —Steve Jobs “The best startups generally come from somebody needing to scratch an itch.” —Michael Arrington

“A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.” —Majid Al Futtaim “Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as a survival, but that’s exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking. Running that first shop taught me business is not financial science; it’s about trading: buying and selling.” —Anita Roddick

Startups

Martha Stewart “What do you need to start a business? Three simple things: know your product better than anyone, know your customer, and have a burning desire to succeed.” —Dave Thomas

“When you find an idea that you just can’t stop thinking about, that’s probably a good one to pursue.” —Josh James

“Any time is a good time to start a company.” —Ron Conway

“Build your business success around something that you love — something that is inherently and endlessly interesting to you.” —Martha Stewart

“I wake up every morning and think to myself, ‘How far can I push the company forward in the next 24 hours?” —Leah Busque