The 20th edition of the Carpet & Art Oasis recorded AED 6 million in sales over its first week the total value of 614 handcrafted carpets that were sold in the first week.
Exhibiting 220,000 carpets worth nearly AED 2 billion, the Oasis has seen 4000 visitors in the first week. Remarkably, a receipt for purchases worth over half a million dirhams was the highlight of the Oasiss first week, being the highest in value seen in the Oasis.
Abdul Hakeem Al Neaimi, Vice Chairman of the Carpet & Art Oasis Organizing Committee, said that a Handcrafted Carpets Museum is incorporated in the Oasiss attractions this year to mark the Oasiss 20th anniversary. The museum displays 44 rare rugs of historical value, estimated at AED 140 million.
A Historical Masterpiece
For the first time ever, the Carpet & Art Oasis exhibits Al Mahmal Al Shami (a ceremonial palanquin carried on a camel which was the centrepiece of the pilgrim caravan to Mecca). The Mahmal, decorated by its accessories, has the stamp of Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan and dates back to 1311 Hijri (1894 A.D.) .

Humanitarian Initiative
One of the most prominent participants in the Oasis is the H.H. Sheikha Fatema bint Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Initiative (FBMI).
Walied Jabarkhyl, FBMIs Executive Director, said: FBMI is dedicated to alleviating Afghan womens long-term distress, by providing resources, compassion and the opportunity for impoverished women to free themselves from economic hardship and take a leading role in Afghanistans future.
FBMIs aim is to create sustainable development by empowering women. The Initiative provides women with employment in the carpet production process, an industry they already possess skills in. It also offers them and their families critical social services in healthcare and education. The result is a holistic effort whose benefits are seen not only in fruitful employment, but also in healthier and happier families and communities.
With 3,000 low income Afghans employed, FBMI has already achieved significant success in helping the people of Afghanistan to help themselves. It is testament to the vision and commitment of Her Highness that so much has been accomplished already, and how much more is to come.

Donation Outlets
Following the recent directive of the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the immediate construction of an air bridge to deliver emergency relief supplies to a million Syrian refugees who are affected by the snow storm and the harsh winter conditions that hit the Levant area, the Carpet & Art Oasis Committee has provided donation outlets around the Oasis.