Rhythm of Dabka steals the show at 'Night for Nepal'

`Dalouna' team comprising Palestinians born and brought in Doha performing Dabka dance. Pictures: Shaji Kayamkulam By Ramesh Mathew/Staff ReporterThe `Dabka’ dance performed by `Dalouna’, a team of eight Doha-born Palestinian youths, attired in their traditional and characteristic grayish national dress, gave a rollicking start to the proceedings of the charity dinner and auction “A Night for Nepal” on Thursday.Promoted by local NGO All for One, the event was in support of Qatar Charity, Educate A Child, and Reach Out to Asia.Moving to the karaoke tunes of a popular Arab folk song, the team members made the occasion a remarkably good experience for the audience which gave a thumping applause at the end.Speaking earlier to Gulf Times, the exclusive newspaper partner of the event, team members said they were moved by the plight of the children of Nepal, who were victims of the two earthquakes that devastated their country.``Our decision to perform was made without any compulsion as we wanted to show our solidarity with the noble cause," Abdulla Mattar, a team member said.`Daluona’, which has performed at a number of similar shows in the country and abroad, were invited to stage shows in Turkey and Jordan in recent months, he explained.Others who were in the group which performed at the charity event were Serrit Zein, Amjad Takrouri, Jehad Jabri, Mohamed Khilani, Yousef Jaber and Amar Hannouli and Mohamed Jubelisava.Music from GermanyA team of musicians, mainly consisting of the members of the German community, entertained the audience with some immaculate classical rendition. One of the team members Harold Georji said they did not think twice while appearing to perform as it involved a humanitarian mission.Christophe Schmitz (cello) and violinists Andrea Mereutza, South Korean-born Canadian Julia Koo and Nina Heidenreich were the other performers who also gave a display at the main venue later, accompanied by two other local vocalists.Acclaimed pianist Sonja Park also invited the attention of the gathering with some flawless rendition. A group of children too gave a lively demonstration of a folk dance, combing a host of features usually seen in Northern India and Nepal.Artists donate At least 20 of the local artists donated many of their works for making the charity event a spectacular success. Qatari artist Yusuf Ahmed, who was associated with many similar events in recent years, was again in the forefront with his contributions. One of Ahmed’s works on Arabic calligraphy was auctioned for QR14,000 at the show.Other paintings which attracted attention were Fatima al-Mannai’s `Traditional House’, `Fereija Awal’ by Roy, “Neighbourhood’ of Maryam al-Mousa, `Orys’ by Ahmed al-Mousafar, `The Dawn’ by Majeed Ramadan, `Man and Moon ‘ by Eman al-Sulaiti, `Geometric shapes ‘ by Leila Juma, Said Habib’s `Living room’, Saad Maroun’s `Lamp’ and `Horse’ by Saad.Many of these pictures were set for `silent’ auction. Owing to a tight schedule, the organisers could include only eight pieces, including an emerald ring, donated by Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh al-Thani for the live auction held at the charity evening.The Asean gestureThe Asean countries’ diplomats gesture to help stage the cultural events came in for special appreciation at the event. Ambassador of Vietnam Nguyen Hoang and his wife Chau Anh were actively involved in the conduct of the cultural events. Anh, also dressed up along with her performers for the shows. The envoy told that all other performers in her team were wives of Vietnamese diplomats and other officials at the embassy.Thailand ambassador Piroon Laismat and his staffers, Indonesian ambassador Deddy Saiful Hadi and his embassy officials and South Korean envoy Heung Kyeong Park and his mission staff also sat through the entire event.Park told Gulf Times that his embassy is looking forward to co-ordinate actively with similar events as Qatar is home to a growing number of professionals from his country.

Schools and houses to be built

Fahad al-Obaidaly, Co-ordinator of `All for One’, a local NGO consisting of professionals from many nationalities living in the country, said at the show they intended to do much more for the earthquake victims in the coming days. One of their main priorities, he said, is to rebuild some of the schools and also to construct as many houses as possible for those rendered homeless by the earthquakes. More than 400,000 people were reportedly rendered homeless.