YouTube star AboFlah is celebrating after raising $11 million by living in a glass box in Dubai.
The celebrity raised the money for the UAE’s Warm Winter campaign, which is supporting tens of thousands of refugees and others in desperate need of help across the region.
He has been living in the glass box since January 7 and live-streaming the experience to almost 24 million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
AboFlah, whose real name is Hassan Suleiman, emerged from the box, located in Burj Park, Downtown Dubai near the Burj Khalifa, on Tuesday night after reaching his target.
“We shall never forget this day for the rest of our lives,” said the Kuwaiti in an Instagram post.
“We have learned that nothing is impossible, especially in Zayed's home. Thank you from the heart. People are for each other.”
He had vowed not to leave the glass box until a target of $10m was reached.
Paul Roy, founder of Dubai-based gaming and Esports Galaxy Racer, for whom AboFlah is a content creator, praised his fundraising efforts and the support of the public.
"We are amazed and grateful for the immense generosity shown by the fans, community and general public," he said.
"Raising over $11m is no easy task and we are glad to be part of this humanitarian initiative."
AboFlah attracted almost 155,000 donors from all over the world, with the money raised going towards mattresses, food, blankets and clothing for refugee families in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and vulnerable people living in Egypt and Syria.
Emirates Red Crescent made a donation of $1.1m to the campaign, while other donors included the UAE Food Bank, Eyal Zayed or Zayed's Sons humanitarian initiative and Ahmad Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor.
The YouTube star also set two Guinness World Records while in the glass box - the longest live-stream video and the most viewers for a live-stream charity donation event.
AboFlah recorded 268 hours, 14 minutes and 20 seconds of live streaming during his 12 days in the box, attracting 698,000 viewers in that time.
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
