5,500 Dubai students form human 'UAE' for National Day

Dubai - The event was held to mark the UAE's National Day which falls on December 2.

11,000 tiny soles pattered across the school yard at Kindergarten Starters in Dubai on Tuesday, as students created a human formation of the words 'UAE' to mark the upcoming 45th National Day.
As the 5,500 student voices blasted out the country's national anthem, it was a sight to make any leader proud.
"I have lived in the UAE for 16 years, and most of you children were born here. The UAE is our home and we should be proud to shout about that," Principal Asha Alexander told the KG to Grade 5 students as they proudly waved their red, green, white and black flags.
The event was held to mark the UAE's National Day which falls on December 2.

Although the impressive formation didn't quite break a world record, it proved just how celebrated the country's independence is by its more than 200 nationalities living within the country.
And although the students were young in age, their knowledge of just what it was they were celebrating was impressive.
"I celebrate National Day because 45 years ago some great leaders joined together and united the Trucial States to form this amazing country where a diversity or religions and cultures live in peace together," Sian Shinjo told Khaleej Times.

And for 7-year-old Fahmida Shaik, it was that spirit of the union which now allows her to "lead a gorgeous life" in the UAE.
Record breakers
Schools students in the UAE are no stranger to setting world records in recognition of the UAE's National Day.
On November 28, 2,223 students in the UAE set a world record for the world's largest transforming human image. They created His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai's iconic three-fingered salute
Similarly, on November 25, 2015, nearly triple that number of students - 6,958 to be precise - from 35 schools in the UAE set a new world record in honour of UAE National Day by forming the world's largest human sentence, which read: "Happy National Day."
Then way back in December 2014, more than 100,000 students, teachers, parents and staff representing 140 nationalities sang 'Ishy Baladi' (Long Live My Nation) - the national Anthem of the UAE - in unison.
That marked a new Guinness World Record for the most nationalities singing a National Anthem at any one time.
Kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE