Arab sheik donates $5 million

[Briar Hopper]

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the minister of defense for Dubai, and a member of the ruling family there, has donated $5 million to the American Red Cross here in Kentucky. The relief fund was set up by Keeneland race track here in Lexington, Kentucky, and it was officials at the track who accepted the donation from the sheik.

al-Maktoum owns Raceland Farm near Paris, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and his brothers own two other prominent horse farms in this area.

al-Maktoum has always been well-liked and well-respected in the Kentucky horse racing industry...

He has many Kentuckians on his payroll, including a few living and working on his main farm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates... (imagine being a farrier, shoeing horses, and driving around in Mercedes. They are, and they do)

By all accounts, they are well paid, and he knows each of them personally.

Though al-Maktoum did not say so publicly, one Keeneland official who went to thank him, later commented to the press that he wanted "everybody to know these people who did this despicable thing are not representative of the Arab world".

Other Keeneland officials commented on how touched and visibly upset the sheik was, not only on Sept. 11, but in the days that followed.

 

[Chad Sheets]

He is donating all of this, and is an Honorary Kentuckian? Sounds like he is more of an American than some people naturaly born here. Glad to have him aboard. Sounds like that part of the World needs a few more with his spirit and heart when it comes to treating others as they want to be treated. He has Colonel Chads vote

 

[Briar Hopper]

Yes, he is a major credit to the human race, more so than one might think. It is surprising how approachable he is(wealth is usually a separator, in class, and in attitude). The only time I ever met him at the Keeneland races, he was very friendly to me, and I enjoyed my brief conversation with him.

It did not surprise me to see in the news that Dubai was the first of the United Arab Emirates to sever diplomatic ties to the Taliban in Afghanistan. I only hope that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait follow suit... .

 

[HDH]

Nice place

I was in Dubai in 1987 for two days, For refueling of our ship. Went out on a trip to the desert,Nothing but sand as far as the eye can see!, No rocks,no plants,just sand!.

Doug.



If you spell Dubai like this--> Dubia, Would it be pronounced as Dubya?. He he.

Doug.