Emirati to run 712km across UAE for special cause

Emirati campaigner Jalal Bin Thaneya who is setting out to break Guinness world record to raise awareness for special needs

When you feel strongly about something, nothing can stop you from making it happen. This is what Emirati campaigner for special needs Jalal bin Thaneya feels for his upcoming herculean mission.
The 30-year-old will be running, walking and jogging to perform the fastest crossing of the UAE on foot in just seven days. If successful, the event will not only raise awareness for people with special needs but will also win him a Guinness World Record.
Why? Because he feels that although the government of the UAE is doing enough for people with special needs, we as a community now need to do our bit and give the backing and support required. "There is still a lot to be done by the society in terms of inclusion of special needs people," Jalal told Khaleej Times.
Jalal will be starting his journey from the Saudi-UAE border Al Ghuweifat and will conclude it at Fujairah coast which will be 712km in all. A representative of the Guinness World Records, who will be monitoring this trip, will be accompanying Jalal. As per the rules, Jalal can map out his own route through the seven emirates and move at his own pace under the stipulation.
With this attempt, Jalal aims to bridge the gap between people with special needs and the rest of the community. He asserts that one doesn't have to be challenged to represent or highlight circumstances and the challenges that society faces. "Therefore, it's critical that we do our best to follow our dreams and stay attuned to our communities and go the length for what is close to your heart.
"Why do we need to have some personal experience to work for a cause? Is it only when you or any of your loved one dies of cancer that you will work on creating awareness? This is the problem with our society that we wait to get afflicted with the pain in order to talk about it. Why can't we see the pain of others and try to help them out. This is what we need to make people aware of," he said.
" We need to bring people together, especially during this time when the whole region is going through a turmoil in terms of stability. We have to give them hope and this needs to be done by both sides - the government and the society."

The preparation