H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan
Held Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Cabinet member and the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, the 4th Annual illustrious gala dinner took place on Thursday 17th November, this year raising funds to support Anera, a charity that has helped refugees and vulnerable communities in the Middle East since 1968.
The event welcomed a star-line up of international hosts, presenters, performers and partners in Abu Dhabi, heart-warming and memorable speeches were delivered by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan followed by Abu Dhabi Dream Ball Co-Chair Nadine Y Maalouf, as well as and best-selling author, Deepak Chopra and The President and CEO of Anera Sean Carrol. Raya Abirached dazzled the stage with Rosemin Madhavji, and live performances included one of Britain’s most successful singer-songwriters Emeli Sandé.
Emeli Sande
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the first woman in the United Arab Emirates to hold a ministerial position, and Dr. Youssef Maalouf presented the 2023 Special Recognition Award to His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan for his ongoing, unwavering commitment empower vulnerable communities, promote tolerance, educate young people, and pave a path for a better future.
Esteemed guests included some of the region’s leading families and CEO’s, who attended and walked the white-carpet alongside international celebrities guests Lando Norris, Elie Saab Jr. Hadley Gamble and John Mikel Obi. The garden was gleaming with style thanks to the support of our partners Al Fardan Jewellery and Elie Saab, who dominated the glitz and glam on the night.
H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan
The event raised over $1m USD including the support of our sponsors who made the evening possible. Pledges on the night as well as bids on the auction lots alone raised over $500,000 USD. This achievement would simply not have been possible without the incredible and generous donors and partners of the auction; items sold during the gala to honourable guests included i) an Elie Saab Couture Week experience inclusive of a hotel stay in Paris donated by the brand, ii) "The Dream Pearls", handmade white gold drop-down earrings, set with round and marquise cut diamonds weighing over 12 carats anchored with lustrous 37.79-carat pearls, for which the donors Al Fardan Jewellery are renowned, and iii) nine incredible works of art from a variety of artists including Marwan Sahmarani represented by Leila Heller Gallery who contributed so greatly to the cause.
"It is Sawtouna’s mandate to maximise the potential of women and children by supporting key charities and foundations, both in the region and internationally, and that’s why the Abu Dhabi Dream Ball was launched four years ago. This annual gala dinner makes a real difference to the lives of refugee women and children in the Middle East, and the collaborative effort by organisations and individuals really motivates us. We selected this year's Abu Dhabi Dream Ball charity, Anera, for their essential work on the ground in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan that ensures refugees live with purpose and hope. We hope that our efforts inspire others to engage in philanthropy within their own communities to make a difference in the lives of women and children,” says Nadine Maalouf and Nadia Sehweil, co-founders of Sawtouna and co-chairs of Abu Dhabi Dream Ball Committee.
Elie Saab Jr
The evening hosted by co-chairs Nadine Maalouf, Nadia Sehweil and Asma Al Fahim, is a concept created by Sawtouna, an Abu Dhabi based committee working together voluntarily to support and raise funds for meaningful charitable causes, in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. The fundraiser will continue until the end of the year with more initiatives around this to follow.
The Abu Dhabi Dream Ball 2022 was proud to welcome Aldar as the title sponsor, and welcome back historic partners Mubadala, Etihad Airways, Emirates Red Crescent and new ones including Al Fardan Jewellery, Elie Saab, OKX, Rich List, Everdome and Hoko.
