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Video: 'Human chain of love' in UAE sets world record

Abu Dhabi - It was an Abu Dhabi Police Youth Council initiative themed 'One World...One Message'.

Thousands of residents of different nationalities, religions and cultural and economic backgrounds got together in Abu Dhabi's Umm Al Emarat Park to set a Guinness World Record for the longest handshake relay.

It was an Abu Dhabi Police Youth Council initiative themed 'One World...One Message' to mark the first anniversary of signing the Human Fraternity Document.

People of all ages and from all walks of life swarmed Umm Al Emarat Park starting early morning. Hundreds of students, officials, executives and blue-collar workers all lined up on a pre-marked track to shake hands. Pre-event announcements made in different languages set the tone for the special occasion.

By the end, some 1,817 people at the park broke the previous record set by 1,730 participants in the south Indian state of Kerala back in January 2018.

Pride, dedication
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, inspired the gathering, describing the feat as a 'human chain of love, peace and understanding'. These values were at the core of the Human Fraternity Document signed last year by Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, and Pope Francis, Head of Catholic Church.

"We rededicate ourselves to the noble human principles of tolerance, cooperation and progress, clearly articulated in the historic document. We express our pride that these values and principles have been an integral part of the UAE's development since its inception," Sheikh Nahyan said.

"This is an expression of our pride in the legacy of our nation's founder, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who understood well that for people to live in peace and harmony, they must get to know and respect one another."

Major Mohamed Balalaa, head of the Abu Dhabi Police Youth Council, told Khaleej Times that the event was one of many ?other such initiatives planned to make a strong impact on youngsters in the country.

"We believe the youth has a lot of energy, which needs to be used in a proper way. And this is just one of the many initiatives as we look forward to making a more significant impact."

Balalaa said the Abu Dhabi Police Youth Council aimed to send out a message of peace and unity.

"We - of different nationalities, religions and races - are all here together to send a message to the world that the UAE is a country that promotes peace.

"Tolerance isn't just a theme for a year but a lifestyle adopted by our leadership and we are seeing it every day in the eyes of the sons of Zayed," Balalaa said.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com