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Buy art work to save mangroves in Abu Dhabi

Buy a novelty item with your celebrity’s art work and message of hope, and help save Abu Dhabi’s mangroves.

This is the campaign by Green Abu Dhabi, a group of volunteers committed to saving the mangroves, during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Green Abu Dhabi has been trying not only to raise awareness about the deteriorating condition of our mangroves in the city of Abu Dhabi, but also to raise funds over the last year to save at least one mangrove from destruction by organising regular monthly community cleanups,” said Suhail Jashanmal, founder of Green Abu Dhabi.

Through various events and initiatives, the group has now raised over Dh300,000 for its cleanup drive in September, but it needs more to continue its programme.

For this purpose, Green Abu Dhabi has partnered with the 21^st Century Leaders Foundation, an international charity organisation that engages in local projects in the UAE and is dedicated to helping the poorest Islamic communities in the world, such as Mozambique.

Through the foundation’s ‘Whatever It Takes’ campaign, electronic items’ accessories - including mouse mats, laptop and smart phone covers - that bear the art works and signed messages of hope by over 600 leaders in the world of fashion, film, television, art, music and sport, are currently being sold at the Lulu Supermarket in Khalidiya Mall till the end of Ramadan at affordable prices.

Prices range from Dh14 for a mouse mat up to Dh44 for a smart phone cover.

Dr Charlotte di Vita, Founder and Trustee of the 21^st Century Leaders Foundation, said 25 per cent of the proceeds from the items sold will go for the mangrove cleanup while the other 25 per cent will go for children’s education, marine conservation and clean water projects in the world’s poorest Islamic communities.

“All our products are environmentally friendly... and that no kid was involved in the supply chain,” di Vita said.

The items include artworks from Amy Winehouse, Sir Paul Smith, Sir Michael and Lady Shakira Caine, Nicolle Kidman, David Bowie, Dave Grohl and Coldplay, among others.

This is Green Abu Dhabi’s first merchandising event and Jashanmal is hoping for public support.

“We urge everyone to pass by our stand and see if there is a way they can support our mangroves, and find gifts for themselves, their family, or their friends, in the holy month of Ramadan,” Jashanmal said.— olivia@khaleejtimes.com