Pursuing Art for a Cause in Dubai

If you are walking on the streets of Dubai; you can tell that it is moving forward with all the construction of the new buildings, houses, railways and other projects in the city. However, amidst the building and construction in Dubai are the diverse people trying to contribute to the community in order to make it better if not the best place to live in the Middle East. Not only to the Dubai community but to other neighbouring countries who need assistance.

One of these people is Salma Zulfiqar who already works in a humanitarian organization however, decided to do more by pursuing her passion in art to assist the children in Afghanistan.

Dubai Lime talks to Salma about her inspirations and the organization that she would like to help.

How long have you been living in Dubai?

I've lived in Dubai for 3 and a half years. I came here to establish the United Nations IRIN OCHA office. Before Dubai I was in Turkey for a year and a half establishing humanitarian reporting coverage of Iraq for IRIN. Prior to this I spent 2 and a half years in Pakistan, again reporting for IRIN and was there during 9/11.

Where you from originally?

I was born in the UK so I ’m a British and my origin is Pakistani.

What do you do for a living in Dubai?

I'm a video producer for IRIN. I started my career in BBC radio and Carlton TV in the UK in 1995. I’ve been working for the United Nations since 2001.
 
When did you start to paint and what inspires you to paint and do your artworks?

I started painting in February 2008.  I'm a very creative person and have always been interested in artwork but never took the time to explore it. Thanks to a friend, I took the plunge and started painting at the Jam Jar. It's a fantastic open environment that has allowed me to explore painting at my own pace.

Tell us about the charity organization that you intended to help through your paintings.

ASCHIANA (meaning “the nest”) is an Afghan Non-Government Organisation that has provided services, support and programs to street working children and their families for close to ten years.  ASCHIANA operates six centres across Kabul, servicing close to 3000 children as well as initiating and operating an outreach program for nearly 1000 internally displaced children.

What prompted you to help this organization?

From my experience, women and children always suffer the most during times of war. I want to contribute beyond my media work with the UN at a grassroots level, as well, towards building a brighter future for children in Afghanistan. I want to paint "the hope" that I personally feel for the children who will one day be responsible for rebuilding their war-torn nation.

How would you encourage the people in Dubai to do more charity work these days?

I really feel more events to raise money should be held. So much money comes in and out of this place and I feel that living in Dubai its easy to forget the less fortunate ones. 

Some of Salma's artworks are on display at Bert's Cafe, Dubai Marina (Nuran Buildin, Marina Walk). She is still currently looking for other venues that she can display more of her works for  "ASCHIANA". If anyone would like to help her please contact Dubai Lime through Rosario ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

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