Friday, Feb 12, 2010

Gulf News

Dubai Hussain Al Jasmi, a superstar singer in the Arab world, has been appointed goodwill ambassador for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM).

He joins a list of other high-profile personalities known for their contributions toward the international community, such as US President Barack Obama (and members of Obama's family, including his grandmother), Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to name a few.

Al Jasmi is the first Emirati to be granted this title. He has joined IIMSAM in support of the United Nations millennium development goals to use spirulina to fight severe malnutrition in developing countries.

Al Jasmi will be presented with the official certificate today at Kuwait's Hala Febrayer festival, which is held annually in February to coincide with Kuwait's National Day and Liberation Day.

Another goodwill ambassador and a UN representative will present the certificate and the title officially to Al Jasmi on the same stage where he is scheduled to perform.

"I suggested to them [the committee] that as an artist, I would like to be presented with this title on the stage where I belong and not at a press conference.

"The committee welcomed the idea although this will be the first time they will do it this way," Al Jasmi told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

IIMSAM works to promote the use of Spirulina to address severe malnutrition. It has been established through two international agreements that are recognised in the UN Treaty Series.

IIMSAM is accredited as a Permanent Observer with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in keeping with resolution E/2003/212, dated March 5, 2003.

Focus on Spirulina

IIMSAM maintains communication channels with entities around the world that deal with Spirulina. It has an international panel of experts that provide technological, scientific, and operational support and biological and engineering advice. These include some of the world's leading experts on Spirulina.

Emirati award-winning songwriter, singer and musician Al Jasmi expressed his happiness about getting the title saying "it is a big thing to me".

He added: "I consider this an honour for the UAE media and the UAE art as I represent my country and we have the chance to lend a helping hand to the needy.

"I work to convey my culture to all the nations through my music. As a country, we have a great civilisation and are building history, so it is important to convey that."

Al Jasmi said he will lend moral support to the organisation, which focuses on starvation, malnutrition and related diseases which children suffer from.

"I will, in a way or another, be mentioning these children and their suffering during my concerts in the UAE and countries of the African continent such as Morroco and Egypt to raise awareness.

"We will work to collect donations and conduct visits to the most affected areas. In summer, I will be travelling to Uganda and Guinea to boost relationships."

Al Jasmi said one of the good things about IIMSAM is that it chooses personalities who are significant and professional and don't just look for their stardom.

hall of fAME

making a difference

Other IIMSAM goodill ambassadors include, the renowned designer Carolina Herrera from the USA, Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi from India and Angelica María, renowned Mexican actress, singer and songwriter.

profile

high on emotion

Hussain Al Jasmi shot to fame after his performance on the TV programme Layali Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival in 1997-98. He scored first in the Gulf world and second in the Arab world.

Since his childhood, Al Jasmi's only dream was to have a collection of his own songs and to present his albums full of emotions in front of an audience.

Al Jasmi has presented three official albums of his own songs that proved an international success in different Arab countries. These albums were released in the years 2002, 2004 and 2006.

In 2007, he presented an album titled ‘Ihtart Aabar' which contained his choice of 14 songs from his performance in drama, television and movie works, as well as in national and private events.

At the end of 2009, Al Jasmi launched his fourth official album ‘Al Jasmi 2010' which Rotana Company titled ‘10 years of success', a culmination of his artistic journey that lasted 10 years with this company.

Source: www.iimsam.org

by alia al theeb

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