Plenty of celebrities showed up for Maddona’s “Raising Malawai” foundation benefit, sponsored by Gucci. There was negative press claiming that the organization was just a front for the Jew-ish cult that has Madonna brainwashed, Kabbalah. Raising Malawai wasn’t even registered as it’s own charity, and all mail and donations for the organization go directly to the controversial Kabbalah church. It was thought that Madonna had duped the event’s sponsors, Gucci and the UN, into hosting a fundraiser for her cult. Madonna denied those allegations, saying the application was in the mail and why should she have to wait to throw a huge charity event until her organization was legitimate?

It looks like a lot of people agreed with her, because there was a big star turnout at the event last night. The Washington Post blew off the criticism of the event, saying it was “mostly bloggers” who thought there was something fishy with Raising Malawai, but there was also criticism of the fact that Gucci just happens to be opening a new store tomorrow in New York. It is thought that the UN, by hosting the event on it’s grounds, is somehow selling out by being associated with the exclusive brand. Gucci reps said “it’s a coincidence that we happen to be here and we’re opening an important store on Friday.”

Madonna said that she’s not worried about criticism, she’s faced it all her life, and besides, at least people are still talking about her. If you read her response to the question, she seems to reveal a desire to convert people rather than just accept money for her charity. She said “I don’t want them to just write me a check: I want them to give me a piece of their heart.” It sounds well-intentioned, but it does come off like she’s hoping to convert some big names that night. Hey, the Seinfelds were there, they seem open to it.

“I don’t really pay any attention to that. I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event — that’s all that matters to me — their generosity. There’s always controversy surrounding anything that involves change,” Madonna told Reuters.

“I want to put Raising Malawi on the map. I want credibility as a philanthropic organization. I want to inspire people. I don’t want them to just write me a check: I want them to give me a piece of their heart,” she said.

[From The Washington Post]

Raising Malawai sets up orphanages for children in the nation of Malawai, where Madonna adopted a one-year old boy, David Banda, in October, 2006 amid controversy that she was flouting the country’s strict adoption rules. Raising Malawai teaches Madonna’s unique brand of spiritualism to the children as part of the curriculum at the schools Madonna is setting up.

Here are pictures from last night including Madonna and Lourdes, a very pregnant Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, a mildly pregnant Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, TomKat, Rihanna, Heidi Klum in a too-short dress with pockets, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, who haven’t strayed far from the fold despite the rumors, Kate Hudson still wearing loose outfits, Salma Hayek looking hot, Gweneth Paltrow in a too-short pink dress with a big ‘ol bow, Dita Von Teese, and Nelly Furtado.

Also there but not pictured were Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, P. Diddy, Rebecca gayheart and Eric Dane, Deborah Messing, Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou, Brooke Shields, Ali Larter, Cassie, Pharrell Williams, Cynthia Nixon, Lucy Liu, Nigo, Molly Sims, and Donald and Melania Trump.

The Gucci CEO reported before the night was even complete that they had collected over $3.7 million to feed, clothe and convert the orphans of Malawai. I guess it’s not as bad as Scientology, but people are similarly enslaved and isolated from their families working for Kabbalah. I just hope it’s a kinder, gentler form of the religion that’s pushed on these young children. Missionaries go in to third world nations hoping to come out with new converts, I suppose this isn’t any different. Still you wish that help could come to people who need it the most without any red strings attached.

Thanks to WENN and Splash News for these photos.