Dubai auction of Islamic treasures raises USD 11M for refugees

An auction to raise money for books for refugee children has raised more than USD 11 million in Dubai, including the sale of a more than 100-year-old covering from the cube-shaped Kaaba that Muslims pray toward in Mecca.
The piece, woven with gold and silver, sold yesterday evening for USD 572,000 and came from the private collection of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
An early 19th Century Indian-Mogul manuscript of the Quran and a 17th Century handwritten copy each sold for USD 68,000.
Five unique Dubai car plate numbers sold for a total of USD 7 million.

The Reading Nation Ramadan campaign, organized by Dubai as a charity initiative during the Muslim holy month, aims to donate 7.3 million books and establish 2,000 school libraries in Arab countries and refugee camps.