Nelson Mandela Urges Arab Business Leaders to Show "Solidarity and Support" at Consortium Dubai's Upcoming 'In Honor of Africa' Benefit Dinner

Nelson Mandela Urges Arab Business Leaders to Show "Solidarity and Support" at Consortium Dubai's Upcoming 'In Honor of Africa' Benefit Dinner

Sir Bob Geldof, Adel Imam, Sundeep Waslekar, and Barbara Castek are Keynote Speakers for Fundraiser Dinner

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 12/PRNewswire/ -- Consortium Dubai, Dubai's premier executive networking club
and an initiative of TECOM Investments, will auction a signed photograph of
Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali at its upcoming 'In Honor of Africa' Benefit
Dinner. To be held in Dubai on 16th December, 2005, at The Jumeirah Beach
Hotel, the event will support global initiatives dedicated to alleviating
poverty in Africa, and encourage businesses in the Arab world to respond to
this international social crisis. Held under the patronage of His Highness
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, all proceeds of the event will be donated
to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051212/195406 )

In support of Consortium Dubai's initiative, Nelson Mandela
wrote, "Business leaders in the Arab world have a historical opportunity to
open the door to hope and the possibility of a better future for all. I am
pleased to support Dubai's 'In Honor of Africa' Benefit Dinner, and I commend
Consortium Dubai, TECOM Investments, and the Dubai International Film
Festival for their initiative in encouraging businesses in the Arab world to
join the global fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS."

Mr. Ahmad Bin Byat, CEO of TECOM Investments said, "Consortium
Dubai is proud to promote corporate social responsibility among its member
businesses, and have extended our support to the Nelson Mandela Foundation,
an organisation that has played a stellar role in raising global awareness
about some of the critical problems Africa faces today. We in the Arab world
have an opportunity to make a difference to the larger global society we are
part of. As leading members of the Arab world's business community, I urge
you to join the global fight against poverty."

The event is being held in association with the Dubai
International Film Festival, which is this year featuring an 'In Honor of
Africa' program to showcase African cinema. VIP guests from the film
festival, including Morgan Freeman and other prominent regional and
international celebrities, are also expected to attend.

The benefit dinner will be preceded by an invitation only,
special screening of Anant Singh's Oscar-nominated YESTERDAY, a film which is
part of the Nelson Mandela Foundation's 46664 global campaign against AIDS,
followed by a VIP networking reception prior to the Opening Address at 9 pm.
Anant Singh, producer of Yesterday and the forthcoming biopic of Nelson
Mandela's Long Walk To Freedom starring Morgan Freeman, said, "YESTERDAY
honors the women of Africa and the world and it is with great pride that we
present our film to you for its Middle Eastern Premiere as a fundraiser for
TECOM. We are very excited to have received South Africa's first Oscar
nomination for YESTERDAY and for it to be a part of the Dubai International
Film Festival."

Guests will also be offered the opportunity to bid for a
signed photograph of Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali for auction at the
event, and international artist Patricia Millns and Emirati artist Dr. Najat
Makki have also generously donated their artworks for auction in support of
the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Ms. Patricia Millns said, "I am privileged to
be able to do this, and I am delighted to donate my canvas to support the
fundraising drive because I demand to be involved in my world and I truly
believe that there is no such thing as innocent bystanding."

Headline sponsor for this event is Dubai Holding, a member of
the World Economic Forum, in strategic partnership with the Dubai
International Financial Centre. The event is also supported by Arab Media
Group and Ericsson.

Corporate table bookings for the 'In Honor of Africa' Benefit
Dinner are now available for a donation of US$10,000 (for ten guests),
inclusive of a three course set menu dinner and all beverages. Individual
tickets can also be purchased for a donation of US$1,200 per person.

For more information on the benefit dinner, please visit
www.itp.net/tickets.

Issued on behalf of TECOM INVESTMENTS by Ekadaa Public Relations, Dubai.

Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051212/195406

Source: Consortium Dubai

For further information please contact: Shenoy or Alisa, ekadaa PR, Dubai, U.A.E., T: +971-4-391-2072, F: +971-4-390-4740, E: shenoy@ekadaa.com or alisa@ekadaa.com

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