A charity auction organised under the patronage, and in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, has raised Dh487000 to support Syrian children in refugee camps.

Thirty seven works from a special collection of 183 fine art creations donated by prominent Arab and international artists were sold during the auction organised by Fann-A-Porter art gallery in collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and art dealers, artforumuae, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, on Saturday. The remaining works will be available for sale at the gallery until the end of July.

Sheikh Nahyan commended ‘Artists for the Kids of Syria' auction, a humanitarian initiative of Emirati artist Fatima Lootah, and noted that the event shows the close ties between the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Arab brothers.

Commending the humanitarian role of the country and its agency, the ERC, he stressed that the UAE does all it takes to back Arab brothers, support the needy and the ill, counter disasters and deepen solidarity among Arabs everywhere.

He underscored the role artists play in supporting humanitarian issues, alleviating the suffering of these refugee children through psychological, material and educational support in a bid to create a favourable, safe, secure and humane environment for them.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak said, "We hope these events would open the door for more good action for the benefit of the brotherly Syrian people whom we greet tonight. Our minds, hearts and feelings are with them and may Syria always remain a glorified and powerful Arab country."