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Pakistan Association Dubai breaks Guinness World Record with giant UAE flag

Published

7 months ago

May 23, 2025

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In a powerful tribute to the UAE’s values of unity and community, Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has officially entered the Guinness World Records for creating the largest UAE flag made of handprints, featuring 24,514 prints from people of over 100 nationalities.

The record-breaking flag was unveiled during a special ceremony at the Pakistan Auditorium, where a Guinness World Records adjudicator verified the achievement in front of a crowd of 250 guests, including Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, and Consul General Hussain Muhammad.

“This initiative is a beautiful tribute to the UAE’s spirit of tolerance and innovation,” said Ambassador Tirmizi. “It reflects the deep love and gratitude of the Pakistani community towards a country that has embraced people from all walks of life.”

The feat was the culmination of PAD’s “Hands of Unity” campaign, launched as part of the UAE’s Year of Community. Over a month, volunteers collected handprints from 23 schools and universities, activated 39 community sites, and brought together thousands of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Each handprint represents a message of solidarity and appreciation from the UAE’s 2 million-strong Pakistani diaspora.

The record title was shared by Pakistan Association Dubai, community platform Emirates Loves, and artist Rubab Zahra, the creative force behind the flag. PAD President Dr. Faisel Ikram described the achievement as a “token of love” to the UAE.

“We are proud to call the UAE our second home,” he said. “This record reflects our commitment to unity, growth, and contribution. It would not have been possible without the passion and hard work of our volunteers and community partners.”

A touching video documenting the campaign’s journey was played at the ceremony, capturing the behind-the-scenes efforts of hundreds of volunteers. Certificates of appreciation were also presented to participating schools, sponsors, and partners who helped bring the vision to life.

“This was a community movement in every sense,” said Khalid Imtiaz, PAD’s Joint Secretary. “From classrooms to public parks, the energy and enthusiasm were truly inspiring.”

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Dubai-India travel: Security procedures triggered for Emirates flight following bomb threat email, flight lands safely

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2 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Authorities at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport activated full emergency protocols on Friday after receiving a bomb threat email linked to Emirates flight EK526 travelling from Dubai (DXB) to Hyderabad (HYD).

According to GMR officials, the threat email landed in the airport’s customer support inbox around 7.30am on December 5. Despite the alert, the flight continued under strict monitoring and landed safely at 8.30am.

Once on the ground, the aircraft was immediately moved to an isolated bay. Passengers were safely deboarded, and security te

ams carried out standard bomb threat checks. Investigations are currently underway.

Emirates confirmed the incident in a statement to local media, saying authorities had alerted them to a “potential security threat” to EK526.
“All standard security procedures were implemented by the relevant local authorities with full co-operation from Emirates’ ground teams,” the airline said, adding that “the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the highest priority.”

Authorities say all threats are being investigated, and extra security measures remain in place at the airport.

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Driving through Abu Dhabi this week? Here are the road closures you need to know about

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2 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Abu Dhabi motorists can expect some delays over the next few days, with the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) announcing a series of partial road closures across key routes in the capital. Drivers are being urged to plan, allow extra travel time, and follow diversions to avoid congestion.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street

A major set of phased lane closures will take place near Sheikh Zayed Bridge from Tuesday, December 9 to Monday, December 22, 2025.

Three left lanes will be closed from 12am on December 9 until 10pm on December 15.
Two right lanes will then shut from 10pm on December 15 until 6am on December 22.

Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street

Another temporary closure is scheduled on Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Street from 5pm on December 5 until 5am on December 8.

Authorities explained that these restrictions are part of ongoing road enhancement projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety across the city. Motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes wherever possible during the maintenance period.

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Sharjah Police give deadline to remove National Day stickers, or face fines

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2 days ago

December 5, 2025

Michael Gomes

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If your car is still sporting National Day decals, it’s time to take them off. Sharjah Police have announced that all vehicle owners must remove their UAE National Day celebration stickers by Saturday, December 6, and those who miss the deadline will face violations.

The reminder follows a crackdown during the 54th Eid Al Etihad celebrations, where authorities impounded 106 vehicles and nine motorbikes for dangerous and irresponsible behaviour on the roads.

According to Sharjah Police, the violations included:

Creating loud noise and disturbing residents
Driving recklessly and endangering others
Operating vehicles without a valid licence

Police officials urged motorists to celebrate responsibly and avoid turning festivities into safety risks.

However, there has been a shift in decorating trends this year. Many residents opted for cleaner, simpler, more elegant designs to showcase their UAE pride ahead of the long weekend, and demand for custom decals surged.

Authorities are now urging residents to ensure all celebratory stickers and decorations are removed by the set deadline to keep roads safe and avoid penalties.