Qatar prepares to host 2nd gala dinner as part of Reach Out To Asia charity drive

The charity event, drawing a guest list from the Who's Who of the entertainment, sporting, social and political world, will be held on November 4 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha, capital of Qatar. The event is being held under the auspices of The Heir Apparent, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Following the success of last year's inaugural charity gala dinner, during which more than US$10million was raised on the night for numerous worthy causes, organisers expect this year's event to be just as glitzy and productive.

It will be a red carpet affair with guests arriving to a Hollywood style welcome under the glare of the cameras before sitting for the main event - a charity auction and dinner.

Funds raised from last year's event, which attracted celebrated names such as former US President Bill Clinton and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, went towards helping victims of the 2004 tsunami in south-east Asia and the devastating earthquake 12 months ago that rocked Pakistan, killing more than 70,000 people.

Doha-based Qatar Foundation, national airline Qatar Airways and the Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) teamed up in 2005 to launch Reach Out To Asia, a 10-year relief campaign to help the underprivileged across the Middle East and Asia. With just weeks to go before Qatar stages the 15th Asian Games in Doha, the Reach Out To Asia charity dinner will further help turn the global spotlight on Qatar.

The three organisations have been collectively working together throughout the year to support and drive the charity efforts of Reach Out To Asia, which has developed into a vibrant organisation operating under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development based at Education City in Qatar.

As a non-governmental organisation based in Qatar, Reach Out To Asia was founded under the patronage of The Heir Apparent, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and chaired by his sister, Her Excellency Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sheikha Mayassa has been the guiding force behind the success of Reach Out To Asia, helping organise charitable events, fund-raising campaigns and visits to regions across Asia to help those in need.

"Reach Out To Asia has developed into a noble cause that has attracted interest from not just across the Middle East and Asia, but around the world," she said.

"Qatar is a small country which has pooled its resources to extend its hand of friendship and assistance to those in need and, with the charity dinner being held on November 4, this will further cement our cause.

"We are looking forward to tremendous support from people locally to buy tickets for this worthy charity gala event on November 4, which promises to be bigger and better than last year. There is an impressive guest list of individuals drawn from all walks of life to grace this occasion which, again, will be a red carpet affair. Further details of guests attending will be unveiled shortly."

Reach Out To Asia's strategic location within Asia and the Middle East presents a unique opportunity to support its neighbouring countries as they overcome development difficulties. The diversity of Qatar's own community, with more than 60 per cent of the expatriate population being of Asian origin, provides Reach Out To Asia with added impetus, insight and understanding of the various needs of the Asian continent, on which it focuses.

Qatar Foundation and its partners have been extending the hand of friendship and help to the many countries across Asia which have, and still are, experiencing serious social difficulties in terms of poverty, inadequate healthcare, homelessness, disease and natural disasters.

Significant Reach Out To Asia Achievements

• Raising more than US$19 million through series of fund-raising events, including the Bryan Adams concert in Doha, Wheels 'n' Heels cycle ride and inaugural ROTA charity dinner
• Resurrecting badly disrupted educational system, including the rebuilding of 19 destroyed schools in remote part of Kashmir following the Pakistan earthquake
• Sending two planes of relief supplies, including blankets, sleeping bags and tents to Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake
• Organising a volunteer group of students from Qatar to Pakistan to share educational activities with earthquake-affected schoolchildren
• Sponsoring a library in Ache, Indonesia - an area devastated by the 2004 tsunami which killed more than 200,000 people
• Rebuilding three schools destroyed by the recent earthquake that struck Indonesia
• Organised the 'Atfalouna' fund-raising campaign to resume educational services in Lebanon
• Establishing a knowledge network providing first class educational resources to developing communities within Asia in collaboration with world's leading colleges and universities