A UAE businessman yesterday paid Dh25.2 million ($6.86 million) for the car number plate “5” – a new world record price for a registration number. The proceeds will help traffic accident victims and people with special needs.
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68 comments:
yikes!!
hey, i'm not complaining - the money went to a good cause!
Well, if you got it - flaunt it.
And yes, at the very least it's going towards a good cause.
why does the plate look used??
you are all missing the point , the issue is the money is for an important issue and the plate number means nothing , i wish all the people are like that guy and help the country God Bless him for trying to help the country , so please no need for negative comments , Grow up !!!!!
The best ever
WWW.BAZAAR.AE
What you cant find here is not out there
if this money is going to people with special needs or charity! so why are these charities still asking for more money?
Like 'ATM machine' etc etc, This thing also does not makes any sense.
This guy isnt stupid so dont call him one! obviously he is clever enough to make millions to give them away like that.
Even american rap musician are spending their money more smartly than arabs!
The reason being, rappers make their money by working!
but these "people" make their money on the hard work of others!
Complete BS
Fake Balushi: DON'T, I repeat, DON'T dis Arabs on this forum, Okay?
the money is going to a good cause.....the man clearly said the plate is not worth a dime but he was just doing it for charity and was prepared to pay up to dhs 50
fake blushi... ur getting on our nerves
dhs 50 million
I think it is actually a nice idea to have the money go to a good cause.
However, if I had this kind of money to 'donate', I would personally be quite reluctant to do it this way. Simply put, I am not really sure I would be comfortable with everyone identifying me as the man who paid X amount of money for the plate (donation). I would prefer to make my donations more discreetly.
Then again, some people are more comfortable with these things than others.
Either way, good for him.
but couldn't he have given the money already to charity without bidding for the number?
Well as a UAE national its good to see others view, Just like to clerify that this kind of auction is going on around the world, such in Hong Kong, (lucky numbers went for 10million$), Australia, Englang just to name some, However I prised ABU DHABI police to keep the proceed for good cause unlike other auction. This good be a good listen for other govenments to follow.When is the last time any of us did something good for a better cause.
"debbie menon said...
but couldn't he have given the money already to charity without bidding for the number?
Hey, hey. That's a Western notion.
Why pay 25 million if you don't get the glory for it? At least the auction was a way of drawing the cash out of them. Good job, AD Police. Well done.
This Lebanese busnissman is extremely smart and rich. He is one of those people, who is aiding the development and construction of this country. At least he is giving money to the needy, rather than only critisizing and being useless.
Lebanese? wow!it's a miracle!!! i'm pretty sure u know all the myths about the lebanese!!
some people just can't accept the fact the guy donated HIS monies for a good cause.
For the life of me, I can't understand, what statements like -
"Simply put, I am not really sure I would be comfortable with everyone identifying me as the man who paid X amount of money for the plate (donation). I would prefer to make my donations more discreetly."
Well good for ya buddy. Look at the noble intent and the positive which shall come of it - please and quit the "worrying statement" will ya?
Debbie menon - "but couldn't he have given the money already to charity without bidding for the number? "
WHY? what difference is to the needy recipients if he donated the monies standing on his head or his toe?
Christ - some people just love to analyze and dig deep for faults.
Dubai Jazz - respectfully, I don't think you can TELL FB how to respond. You can REQUEST him to mind his tone - but not TELL/ORDER him to do so?
If he wishes to express his honest sentiments, you shouldn't be trying to curtail it - that's not fair.
ok how old are you people i swear you blog like kids in school fighting and dissing and trying to find faults geeez !!!
I was attending this auction, this auction was openened for all nationalities and it was paricipated by diffrent nationalities as well, the fact of the matter that for plate no 5 the bit started by one million by diferrent pepole from different nation and one chose to pay a higher bit for a good case just like the rest, I am please the Mr. Khoory a UAE national decided to do so. well done to all other who participated too.
People are paying these millions for a number plate Page 1 Gulf news
Page 2 Gulf news 9 Families are sleeping in their cars.
This Good cause stunt reminds me of America, Because they do their good will in the world by Bombing poeple.
eg: Iraq
The reason they wanted to be the good guys there is bcoz they have Oil.
The reason they dont want to be the good guys in Somalia(and other 100 places) bcoz they dont have Oil.
Same way, would this guy be a good guy if it wasnt of a number plate?
somehow the license plate in the uae has evolved into a status symbol. bizarre, but hey, what status symbols that can be purchased are not bizarre?
but to make it seem that this guy bought the plate for charity or trying to help his country -- please. that's just plain stupid. he bought status and he's proud of it. simple.
This is an answer to (bklyn-in-dubai, let him (Mr. Khoory UAE National)to be proud of what he done, he deserve to be proud, case not only he have the plate no 5, but also he help to raise a fund for charity. If you want to critizise every thing in life then it will make difficults to give. Its just happen that I know this familly very well, they dont need plate no 5 for any status, evryone know this familly, and yearly the pay 10 time of what you see for many other charity purpose including education funds. God bless him and many others who participated in this evet.
Yo Khoory! Is that You???
you are not kidding anyone here! you have done enough advert for yourself by playing with emotions of poor people! now you are coming here and posting as anonymous.
I may not be some spiderman or bla bla bla BUT As long as poeple like me exist on this planet! - YOUR PLANS ARE DOOMED TO FAIL.
debbie menon, bklyn-in-dubai, etc. - for once let somebody give money without questioning their motives. none of us are perfect and neither are you.
Bushama, whats the myth of the Lebanese?Is it that where ever they go they contribute positively to others and they're extremely smart.The Lebanese are every where my friend live with it.
"somehow the license plate in the uae has evolved into a status symbol. bizarre" -"but to make it seem that this guy bought the plate for charity or trying to help his country -- please. that's just plain stupid. he bought status and he's proud of it. simple."
Brooklyn - why is it so damn bizarre/silly to you? There are thousands of zero talented celebrities like Paris Hilton or Nicole Richies in North America. who attended charity galas at a cost and put forth monies towards causes. I applaud they put forth monies towards such causes.
Likewise what is so very wrong/bizarre if someone purchases a unique licence plate and donates the proceedings to charity in the UAE - so WHAT? Perhaps it's because you just don't know how this part of the globe works - what it likes and dislikes?
I think it's fantastic of him and I appreciate his support to the needy - stop being so negative & frustrated about it!
It's amazing - here is someone who gave away so much monies for causes, and all that some frustrated - "can't do any better folks" - want to do is walk over the guy?
Isn't charity (in this part of the world) about giving money and remaining humble? (correct me if I am wrong)
I don't know why people are bowing down to this guy; look at Bill Gates; he managed to give away 29 billion dollars to charity (keep in mind his personal wealth is at 60 billion); his giving away money gets him nothing in return.
Is spending 25 million through a number plate auction the best way to give money to charity? I think not. Saying the all the money is going to 'good causes' is a very broad claim, perhaps a donation to a particular charity would've been better.
Sam, seriously so what?
In this instance - is the deed more important or the means used? Does it erode his deed if he got a licence plate in return?
Bill Gates gives away millions in charitable contributions - which have HUGE tax savings/deductions in millions. What tax deductions can someone have in the UAE?
Secondly, just because Bill Gates personally does not talk about his contributions does not mean he is keeping shush about it. He's got publicists who are paid top dollars to ensure the "news" gets out as decent and noble as possible.
Don't think anybody's "bowing" over Sam - just appreciate the gesture, ofcourse there are alternatives, as in any instance.
anon 18:04
nope, you r wrong!!
when I first read the headlines on the paper, I thought "great, another stupid idea..."
Then when I saw it went to charity. I think it's fantastic. So what if the buyer would like his name known, the important thing is he DID something, as did all of the other buyers. So what have you guys who are complaining done? Maybe it will help promote a business for him or something, why he did it is really not important, or why he wants his name known.
Good for them, and good for the charities which got the donations.
Couldn't he have spent this money on some low-cost housing in Abu-Dhabi for all those bachelors whose lives are being hijacked by the Emirates Elite Eviction Squad?
Rosh, I worry about you sometimes. What with your off late holier than thou speeches on behalf of those who don't give a jack shit for your opinion. Just remember, its a thankless job, in case you're seeking reciprocity!
'Good for them, and good for the charities which got the donations.'
It'd be nice if you could list the charities. It'd be even nicer if you could list the ballpark figure that each got from this 25 Mill handout!
Rosh said:
Dubai Jazz - respectfully, I don't think you can TELL FB how to respond. You can REQUEST him to mind his tone - but not TELL/ORDER him to do so?
I oblige my friend, thank you for the thoughtful reminder.
You may agree with me that the tone usually correspond to the addressee, like if I was to address you about something I didn't like in one of your comments for instance (which I highly doubt, given the fine language you use), I would have used an entirely different tone than the one I used with FB :)
SamuraiSam
The new skill is noted. (you know what I'm refering to right?). Your intervention was timely...
ok end this feud and agree to disagree bloggers ok he is a good guy who did a good deed to look good and the benefit went to saving innocent life , now get a life and move on
"but couldn't he have given the money already to charity without bidding for the number?"
debbie proves yet again that her brains are in her melons.I mean lemons.Sorry.
rosh why dont u shut that pie hole of yours> bug off
- Debbie Melons
DubaiJazz - I see your point :)
anon 14 May, 2007 20:08 - you haven't been in my shoes or seen what I have, but feel free to judge/analyze to your hearts desire.
Debbie Melons - respectfully, likewise.
It's unfortunate there is much negativity 'cause someone contributed his monies towards a positive.
I don't see the fuss really. The guy has money and he can spend it the way he likes. At least he's giving money to charity unlike many others. So what's the deal? When WE know that Bill Gates spends an X amount of money...how does it get to us without the secret publicists?
Precisely MD.
Rosh, there's no judging or analysis here. It's just that your views off late, how can I say these words I hate, are more right wingish!
Whatever happened to your ability to argue/debate/fight for the deserving & needy?
well Oprah in the states donates to South Africa and boost about it , why didn't she do the school in the states for the needy , or why didn't she help build homes for the homeless in the USA!!!
Or is it because he is Arab you guys are all over him !!!besides saving lives is much more important than some housing for labours .
In some situations it is good to give to the needy and keep the bragging to a minimum, but some other times it is even better to let everyone know what was given. I see at least two reasons (apart from the ones mentionned in the comments so far):
1- Big amounts of money can be very very tempting. The more there are eyes watching where the money goes the more chances the money will reach it's intended recipients.
2- peer pressure, need for recognition, oversized egos, or whatever you chose to call it. By making donations public, everyone around who has money will feel they have to give as well. Maybe even they'll want to give more than the other guy, just to look more generous. Wouldn't that be great? a real win-win for everyone.
By the way, am I the only one who thinks some comments made here were lame and really pathetic?
Cheers.
so was the plate with # 1 on it taken???
Aro , thats what i said , they are fighting like kids and missing the point !!!
anon 12:32
no we r not! you're a ragweed!
Anonymous @ 12:20 ..... Lebanese ????? man you made me crack of laughing ..hehehehe...
what about Al Shamsi ..are they lebanese too ???
at least know about what you are writing about ...
and from another hand even if he was lebanese ... wouldnt it have been better if he pays that money to lebanon ? and the destruction that is going on there ?? but you still praised his move (as a lebanese ) to help the construction of this country, where his country is in great need... 2aal lebanese 2aal...
I appologize I have mistaken him for a Lebanese, because Al Khoury is also a big Lebanese family.He is an Emarati businessman, who did a great deed for his country. What is important is that he did something constructive and let us not limit it to the number plate.The number plate is just a method to collect charity for the needy.
fuggin lebanese!
It is not a matter of ego to give this big money just to put his name in the spotlight.
we as muslims give our money in every Ramadan as a zaqat in anonymous way, and it is according what you have and what you earn, so imagine that some times this money it is very very big and nobody knows, so friends dont misunderstand muslim way of give charity, these rich people dont need to explain or make people know the level of richeness.
I agree with rosh and md and whoever else thinks most of the comments here are pure rubbish.
Whatever a private person wishes to do is their business. I doubt any of the people quick to complain have done any good for society lately: it's all too easy for you to get on your high horses and criticise charitable individuals - and I also doubt any of you complainers are Arab.
On one hand this a reminder of the obscenely unbalanced distribution of wealth in the world, not just the UAE, that someone would have this kind of disposeable money when others are dying of poverty. I think that is why some of us find it hard to stomach.
But the reality is that this is a story about some of that wealth being redistributed to the needy. And more importantly, it is putting those with special needs - a greatly ignored and hidden demographic in the region - into the spotlight.
You want to get angry and sickened? Go and watch people spend this amount of money on jewellery or private planes or holiday palaces that they will visit once every couple of years. Barely a fil of that goes to the needy.
LOSERS!!!!!!!!!!
In the west people show off with their overpriced paintings and over here with a 2dhm plate number made by jailers.
If AD government wanted to donate and help, they could've done that without this guys help. He should've invested that money in upgrading his brain instead of blowing it on a useless plate that will get hit by pigeon $hit and insects.
In the west people show off with their overpriced paintings and over here with a 2dhm plate number made by jailers.
If AD government wanted to donate and help, they could've done that without this guys help. He should've invested that money in upgrading his brain instead of blowing it on a useless plate that will get hit by pigeon $hit and insects.
"But the reality is that this is a story about some of that wealth being redistributed to the needy" - finally someone says it as it should be.
For all those still bent on critiquing the man - he did say “Even if the price went up to Dh50m, I would have bought the plate without hesitation because the cause was so sublime."
I still don't get what the fuss and over analysis is about? Like with all options there are alternatives. The man could have bought a car, piece of cloth, a painting or chicken crap (in place of the licence plate) with the Dhs25 million (and yet have critics pick on him) - but what little difference does it make as long as the monies are for needful causes?
I say appreciate the gesture, support any (legal) acitivity which generate funds for the needful.
lol administrator i bet you are an expat , that's why you removed my comment , you don't like criticism , my comment cut in your wound , so you feel hurt and decide to remove it because you can't dare go home or live away from UAE well so much for freedom of speech lol , yet i see u leave comments where people use the F;;K, A....e and other dirty words !!! so much for be correct !! you got double standard
such ado about nothing. the license plate is a status symbol -- would anyone disagree? he purchased it for its value as a status symbol. that is the primary purpose. (ok, he may not need the status, but that does not negate the fact that it is a status symbol.) the proceeds go to "help traffic accident victims and people with special needs". excellent. but that's secondary. he did not make a donation to charity, he bought a plate at auction where the proceeds go to charity -- there's a difference. in any case why are so many of you making him out to be some kind of national hero for buying a license plate -- and conversely a villain for spending so much on a license plate? i have no issue with him buying a plate -- it's his millions. but get serious, he's no hero, and he's no villain. he's just an ordinary multigazillionaire with a "5" number plate that he paid Dh 25.2 mil for, the proceeds of which go to charity.
as for plates being "bizarre" status symbols... most status symbols that can be purchased have an element of the bizarre in them (japanese kids paying thousands of dollars for used 20 year old air jordans?). i'd be interested to know if anyone knows the origin of how these plates (and mobile phone numbers) came to be so hypervalued.
it's obvious 2 all! we are jealous!!! this is money we should have,yes! mine !mine!mine! etc!
25 Million for a # 5 Plate for a shagged out Rolls Phantom or Silver Shadow and then say the money's going for charity? Now this investment is one height of absurdity.
This guy should have paid the same amount to the Yanks and Ruskies. That way, they would have sent him on an excursion trip to the outer space to post cool pics of this super blue planet we live in.
Now that's the way you flaunt your wealth, not buy a piece of rusted metal with numero cinq on it!
Is this guy surrounded by morons or what?
Anonymous 15 May, 2007 18:00.... I would agree with everybody who said that the real aim behind buying the number is just buying the number ! ok , i agree that the money evantually will go to something good.... but ( you or anybody else) shouldnt really praise the guy only coz the final usage of the money is good... I admit that Al Khoory Family are known for giving great deals of moneys every year to the needy... I didnt know this man personally... but to tell the truth i worked for one of Al Khoory's companies for a while... (some of his cousins) I cant say more than they were down to earth and i know very well about their contributions even to those who suffered by Tsunami.
But this issue is another thing, am not trying to blame the guy for buying a registration number, its his money and his discision (regardless my opinion about it), but we dont have to make it look like he wanted to put the money in the charity, and his only way was to buy the Number "5" ...
he wanted the number ,, so what ?!!!!
Do you all really believe the media ? hahahaha
25million will go in to the governments account not the charity or anyone else.
SCAM!
70+ comments. This has to be a record!
I throw my hat in with bklyn_in_dubai all the way, and in my own words... It is just silly and bizarre!
It isn't about the charity; it is about the number plate status cult. The UAE--due to the abundance of disposable wealth and great highways--is full of car fanatics and its paraphanalia--i.e. number plates. I just visited a "museum" in the AD desert where one sheikh has 200 cars of every year, shape and color on display, including a 10-meter tall pick-up truck he had built himself and takes out into the desert to sleep in.
It's just this crazy car culture here gone wild. When a rich kid kills himself in his luxury car it is viewed not as part of the excesses of this mania, but as the unquestionable will of God.
it's just way too fucking extrvagant(?) really!
The proceed will go to the charity, that is what important for a common sense, if money was rasied by other way it will take alonger time. If someone wana pay thier money for a good case and have a plate number as a token of appriciation then let it be. I presume it will be much better then gambling. well there is an effort by the Goventments to raise fund for a good case. Lets just not criticise thing without looking at the big picture.
Kind regards
Majer Hassan Ibrahim
Dubai
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