Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, hosted the World Doctors Orchestra charity concert on 22 March 2018 at Dubai Opera to coincide with its 5th anniversary. The event raised almost AED 1,000,000 to advance medical research in the UAE.

To mark the occasion of the 5th anniversary of Al Jalila Foundation, Dr Raja Easa Saleh Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees, said: “We are extremely honoured by the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and privileged to hear the renowned orchestra perform the world premiere of ‘Positive Spirit’ at the magnificent Dubai Opera. We are grateful to each of the brilliant physicians for taking the time from their medical profession to share their talent and passion for music, and to use it to raise funds to advance medical research in the UAE. This harmony of medicine and music is a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and we thank our sponsors and the audience for being part of this momentous occasion.”

For the first time in the region, and for one night only, 75 physicians from 15 countries, joined by a common devotion and love for music, travelled from around the globe to perform this unique charity concert in Dubai with 100% of proceeds dedicated to advancing medical research in the UAE. Established in 2007 the World Doctors Orchestra is an independent non-profit organisation, comprising of physicians from more than 50 nations who have performed in venues in all four corners of the world, by combining the pleasure of fine music with global medical responsibility. The Dubai inaugural concert marks the 24th international performance since its inception.

Dr Stefan Willich, founder and conductor of the World Doctors Orchestra, who has conducted all 24 concerts, said: “The vibrant city of Dubai, with its flourishing arts and culture scene, is the perfect backdrop for this unique melody of music and medicine in concert. It is a great honour for the World Doctors Orchestra to perform for the first time in the region and we are proud to support Al Jalila Foundation and their humanitarian work. As doctors our daily work focuses on healing one patient at a time, as an orchestra we come together to champion medical advancement through our devotion to music. We are grateful to Al Jalila Foundation for hosting this event and enabling us to deliver on our two passions.”

The concert attendees experienced an exceptional evening with powerful performances of some of the best music composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, starring violinist Klaudia Olborska-Szymańska, one of the UAE’s top violinists. The highlight of the evening was the world premiere of ‘Positive Spirit’ inspired by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s poem and composed by Dubai resident Jonathan Barrett, Director of Dubai Chamber orchestra, which was received with great applause.

The first of its kind event in the region and one of the classical musical highlights of Dubai’s calendar was held in partnership with Dubai Culture, Dubai Calendar and Emirates Medical Association and sponsored by Paris Gallery, City Pharmacy Co., Mediclinic Middle East, Medtronic, Sanofi and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Hospital.

Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Fahim, CEO of Paris Gallery Group of Companies, platinum sponsor for the event said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is a visionary with a strong and enduring spirit. He is a true leader who strives to be the perfect example for all of us. His passion for life and his experiences are revealed in his poems; they stir and inspire us to be positive and move ahead with faith. The premiere of ‘Positive Spirit’ inspired by His Highness’ poem is a marvellous tribute to a great leader and poet. Congratulations to the Al Jalila Foundation for hosting such a remarkable event coinciding with its 5th anniversary celebrations.”

As Al Jalila Foundation moves into its sixth year of operations it looks forward to opening the first multi-disciplinary medical research centre in the region, to fulfil its vision to transform lives through medical education and research, which will be a beacon for medical innovation in the UAE and the region.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, will be hosting a charity concert on 22 March 2018 at Dubai Opera to celebrate its 5th anniversary.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the first time in the region, and for one night only, physicians from around the world will exchange their white coats for evening attire to perform in a charity concert in Dubai to support medical research. The World Doctors Orchestra, the only orchestra in the world to be made up of solely of doctors, comprises physicians from more than 50 nations who have played in venues in all four corners of the world from Salzburg to Seattle to South Africa since 2007.

Classical music fans can look forward to an exceptional evening of some of the best music written by Ludwig van Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The program also features the world premiere of ‘Positive Spirit’ inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s poem and composed by Jonathan Barret staring violinist Klaudia Olborska-Szymańska.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation, said: “On the occasion of Al Jalila Foundation’s 5th anniversary we are proud to present the World Doctors Orchestra to perform a one of a kind charity concert to support medical research. The doctors come from all over the world and for one night only they generously trade in their stethoscopes for musical instruments and in unity they create an awe-inspiring symphony to spread goodwill. The harmony of medicine and music is a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary and the near completion of our research centre which promises to be a beacon of hope in the region.”

The World Doctors Orchestra is an independent non-profit organisation founded in 2007 and combines the pleasure of fine music with global medical responsibility. The founder and conductor of the World Doctors Orchestra is Stefan Willich, Professor in Medicine at the Charité University Medical Center in Berlin and former President of the Berlin Music Conservatory Hanns Eisler.

Stefan Willich said: “The World Doctors Orchestra is proud to present the charity concert in Dubai to support Al Jalila Foundation and its efforts to advance medical research. It will be the first time we perform in the gulf and we look forward to showcasing our orchestra to the UAE community and meeting the medical fraternity during our first visit to this exciting region.”

Tickets range from AED 250 to AED 950 and go on sale tomorrow on www.dubaiopera.com. All proceeds of the 24th World Doctors Orchestra charity concert will support Al Jalila Foundation healthcare programs.

Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research, has signed an agreement with The Little Wings Foundation to provide medical assistance to children with musculoskeletal deformities in the Middle East and North Africa.

Many children throughout the region face hardship due to poverty and conflict and survival depends largely on their physical integrity. Those born with limb deformities are often unable to access treatment that could free them from their physical disability to pursue a life without restriction. Through the partnership Al Jalila Foundation and The Little Wings Foundation will provide surgeries and medical aid to the most vulnerable children in the region.

Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, commented: “Since inception, Al Jalila Foundation has been providing children in the UAE with life changing prosthetics, specialised wheelchairs and the necessary medical procedures to empower those with limb deformities and mobility challenges. We are excited that through our partnership with The Little Wings Foundation we are able to extend our outreach further and offer life transforming care and hope to young patients beyond the UAE.”

The Little Wings Foundation was founded in 2007 by Dr Marc Sinclair, one of the region’s prominent paediatric orthopaedic surgeons, with the mission to provide medical assistance to children who have musculoskeletal deformities in the Middle East and North Africa. The Little Wings Foundation is run by volunteers devoting their expertise and time to give back children the freedom they ‘lost’ because of physical, economic and perceived social barriers.

Dr Marc Sinclair, Founder of The Little Wings Foundation, commented: “Our partnership with Al Jalila Foundation will contribute largely to bringing orthopaedic care to children suffering from congenital and trauma related injuries in the region. Physical disability is a recognised major barrier to education, social integration and independence leading to poverty and isolation. Removing these barriers by treatment and education unfolds the childs’ individual potential, strengthens their community and sets new horizons.”

According to medical experts it is estimated that 1 in 500 children is born with congenital limb deformities in the region. Since 2007 The Little Wings Foundation has provided vital medical intervention to thousands of children around the world offering them a better life. The partnership with Al Jalila Foundation will further boost the international outreach efforts to transform the lives of those who need it most.