The embassy of Spain in Doha, with the support of partners and volunteers, recently organised a charity gala dinner to support and help Syrian refugees. The donations and funds raised through the event went to Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS).
Through the funds collected from each table at the event, ‘From Qatar to Syria through Spain,’ the QRCS will be supporting its Health Care for Syria Program providing medical services, temporary housing and vaccines to Syrian families, contributing to help population in those areas not torn by war.
QRCS was selected as a partner by the Spanish embassy as it belongs to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and is a perfect example of interaction between different cultures with the aim of achieving a common humanitarian goal.
“We can leave the room tonight with the satisfaction of knowing that thanks to our contribution, children will be vaccinated, people will be treated, medicines will be distributed, and shelters will be given to protect from cold and humidity,” said Spanish ambassador Ignacio Escobar at the event.
Besides music performances, the event featured a silent auction. The items of the auction were a representation of the Spanish and Qatari community and its generosity.
They included a football signed by all the members of the Spanish national team that won the European Cup in 2012, donated by Ivan Bravo from Aspire, three pairs of football shoes belonging to ex-Barcelona football player and present Al Sadd player Xavi Hernandez, a signed shirt from two leading Spanish MotoGP champions, Marquez and Pedrosa (courtesy of Juan Baquero, new manager of Losail Circuit) and a tennis ball signed by the 2016 Total Open Champion Carla Suarez Navarro.
The auction also included items such as paintings from Qatari and other Arab artists from Dana and from the International Art Center (courtesy of Emiry Gems); paintings from two Spanish artists living in Doha, Nines Monago and Maxi (courtesy of Toscana); an antique painting, especially delivered from gallery Palisandro in Spain, valued at 5000 US dollars (courtesy of their local manager Noemi); bags and a gala dress from designer Adolfo Dominguez; and a cocktail dress from Pronovias donated by Al Mana Fashion.
Some other items came from the generosity of firms such as LuLu, with 15 baskets full of high quality products, including precious liquid gold from Andalucía, Spanish olive oil; and Turkish Airlines, which donated two business class tickets.
“The Spanish society has a culture of commitment to the most diverse causes; for instance, there are five million volunteers in Spain (twice the population of Qatar) and 12% of the Spanish population is currently taking volunteer actions,” the ambassador told the audience.
“Another fact we are particularly proud of is organ donation. You will agree that there is no greater solidarity than to
donate life. Few people know that for more than two decades Spain has been a world leader in organ donation and transplantation. Spain reached a rate of 35 donors per million population while
the EU average is 19 and the US 25,” he added.
The Spanish model has been transferred to many other countries worldwide and has inspired the legislation of the European Union, said the ambassador.
“This fact of the Spanish solidarity in combination with the generous spirit of Qatar, where there is a real culture of fund raising, gave me the impulse to get in touch with one of the most generous persons my wife and I have met in Doha, Dana Alfardan and her husband Sultan,” ambassador Escobar said.
The ambassador said from the moment they approached Dana with the idea of the event, her involvement along with the support of her family, especially of her mother Shafiqa and her aunt Noor, have made this event possible.
Dana contributed with her time and the dinner at the event. But that was not all, she came up with the idea of the silent auction, and also contributed her talent as the most significant representative of modern Qatari music.
The event also featured a Flamenco performance by Spanish artistes and Dana’s own compositions, played by Doha String Quartet complemented by the Syrian virtuoso violinist and composer, Maias Alyamani, who amazed the audience with his talent.