The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai has set a new Guinness World Record as it distributed 49,000 food boxes with greeting cards on them. Placed together, the cards created the largest mosaic of its kind, forming a huge UAE flag.
The initiative was done in partnership with food app Nefsy, which collected donations to purchase the 49,000 food boxes that contained essential items like rice, wheat, oil, sugar, salt, water, and a hand sanitiser.
The UAE flag mosaic measured a whopping 498.33sqm and was created outside the Dubai Police, Al Wasl, behind City Walk.
“IACAD has succeeded in entering the Guinness Records Book for bringing about yet another positive change in the lives of the needy and those most affected by the pandemic,” said Dr Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, director-general of IACAD.
The online app food app Nefsy gives the public the opportunity to browse through UAE restaurants’ offerings, knowing that with every purchase, a meal is donated without paying any additional money or needing a cash donation. The proceeds are allocated to the Emirates Red Crescent, which is distributing the meals that will be able to feed more than 250,000 individuals for more than 10 days.
Giving the initiative a personal touch, each of the folded greetings cards used to create the mosaic was included in every box. Inside each card was a two-word note: ‘Don’t worry’, telling families that they are not alone and they will be taken care of.
Khaled Diab, founder of Nefsy, commented: “We are over-the-moon to have broken a Guinness World Records title by creating the largest greeting card mosaic as part of our accomplishment to feed 49,000 families in need. It is certainly the first and biggest flag of a good cause!
“Nefsy’s mission is to help combat hunger worldwide and with Covid-19 having dealt a devastating blow to the global economy, many families have gone without basic essentials such as food and water, something which is not acceptable in this day and age.”
Al Shaibani said the initiative “showed the depth of community cohesion in the UAE”. He added: “IACAD always encourages activities that advance the role of humanity, and works to motivate the community to extend a helping hand, which the past year witnessed challenges on multiple levels due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
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The occasion organized by nefsy has raised funds to buy food boxes to feed 49,000 families in need, after what has been an incredibly challenging year, following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The challenge was launched in celebration of the UAE’s 49th National Day to celebrate the spirit of the UAE, the homeland of humanity, but to also help combat world hunger, nefsy’s primary aim.
