World record: Pakistan Association Dubai makes largest handprint UAE flag

Dubai: The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), in partnership with Emirates Loves and artist Rubab Zahra, has earned a place in the Guinness World Records by creating the largest handprinted UAE flag.

Featuring 24,514 individual prints from people of more than 100 nationalities, the initiative honours the UAE’s Year of Community and underscores the spirit of collaboration among its diverse residents.

The official record was confirmed during a special unveiling ceremony held at the Pakistan Auditorium, PAD on Thursday. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was present to verify the achievement, witnessed by over 250 attendees including Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE; Consul General Hussain Muhammad, and members of both the Emirati and Pakistani communities.

Wonderful tribute

“The UAE has grown leaps and bounds over the years, becoming a beacon of tolerance and innovation,” said Tirmizi while speaking at the ceremony. He added: “This initiative by PAD is a wonderful tribute to that spirit. Well done to the team whose hard work and dedication brought this powerful vision to life.”

The record-breaking flag was the highlight of PAD’s month-long ‘Hands of Unity’ campaign, an initiative inspired by the UAE’s Year of Community. The campaign saw wide-scale participation from 23 schools and universities, 39 public activation sites, and thousands of volunteers across the Emirates.

Each handprint symbolised a message of gratitude and solidarity from the 2 million-strong Pakistani diaspora to the UAE, a country admired globally for its values of coexistence, generosity, and community development.

Commenting on the occasion, President PAD Dr Faisal Ikram said: “This is our token of love and appreciation to the UAE, our second home. We deeply value the UAE leadership’s vision for the Year of Community. This record is a testament to what can be achieved when we unite around shared values.”

Campaign journey

The event featured a heartwarming video chronicling the campaign’s journey, from school visits to community activation drives, illustrating the countless hours of volunteer effort behind the achievement.

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to schools, sponsors, and campaign partners for their vital contributions.

“This was a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. Witnessing such a diverse group come together with enthusiasm and purpose was truly inspiring,” said Khalid Imtiaz, Joint Secretary of PAD.

Now officially recognised by Guinness World Records, the Hands of Unity campaign has become a lasting symbol of what is possible when communities come together with a shared vision, a legacy proudly made in the UAE.