Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul celebrate UAE flag world record in Dubai
Cricket stars praise the Emirates’ spirit of peace, diversity and community
DUBAI: Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) on Sunday welcomed cricket greats Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul, as part of a celebration honouring a landmark community achievement.
The event marked official recognition by Guinness World Records of the Largest UAE Flag with Handprints, a creation brought to life through the Hands of Unity campaign by PAD, Emirates Loves, and artist Rubab Zahra.
The flag features 24,514 individual handprints from contributors representing more than 100 nationalities. Unveiled at a ceremony on 22nd May, the artwork symbolises togetherness and inclusivity during the UAE’s Year of Community, underlining the multicultural fabric of the nation.
Shahid Afrid and Umar Gul in Dubai
Afridi, known not only for his explosive performances on the cricket field but also for his humanitarian work, shared his admiration at the event. “I want to thank Pakistan Association Dubai and Emirates Loves Pakistan for inviting me to this great occasion. This is a country that unites 100+ nationalities – and you can see that reflected in these 24,000+ handprints. Special thanks to Mariam who worked so hard, and to the entire PAD team whose efforts made this world record possible. It's a team game, and they worked like a true team,” he said.
Umar Gul, a key figure in Pakistan’s cricketing history, also lauded the initiative. “It’s amazing to be here at Pakistan Association Dubai. I’ve heard over 100 nationalities contributed to these handprints. It’s so inspiring to see this bond of love between such a diverse community. This is exactly what we want to see in the world – peace and social cohesion,” he stated.
Dr Faisel Ikram, President of PAD, reflected on the significance of the record and the visit. “We were honoured to host Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul at PAD for this very special moment. Their presence reminded us of the strength of unity – not just in sport, but across communities. This record is our token of appreciation for the UAE, which is home to almost two million Pakistanis and a country that leads with values of tolerance and togetherness.”
Hand of Unity
The Hands of Unity campaign mobilised wide participation from across the Emirates, with 39 activation sites and involvement from 23 schools and universities. Thousands of residents – from various cultural and national backgrounds – came forward to contribute their handprints, culminating in a flag that stands as a vibrant expression of harmony and mutual respect.