GEMS Commemorates 43rd National Day and Claims a New Guinness World Record for the UAE

-    Students from 119 nations sing the UAE national anthem in unison
-    Crowds of 100,000 students, staff and parents gather to raise their voice in celebration of the Union 

Dubai, UAE 3 December 2014 – Today the UAE claimed yet another Guinness World Record. In celebration of the Emirates’ 43rd National Day, GEMS students, staff and parents sang their way into the record books, setting a new Guinness World Record for the most nationalities singing a National Anthem at any one time.  More than 100,000 GEMS students, teachers, parents and staff representing 119 nationalities sang ‘Ishy Baladi’ (Long Live My Nation) - the national Anthem of the UAE - in unison. 

Gathered together on the playing fields of GEMS Wellington Academy – Dubai Silicon Oasis, the students raised their voices proudly to proclaim their love for the nation, with thousands of parents taking time to attend and celebrate the strength of the Union alongside their children and GEMS staff. Officials from the Guinness World Records team were also on hand, as were adjudicators from E&Y, to make sure that the passports of the student singers were checked and double-checked, and that the new world record was officially verified. 

Amal Al Bayari, Director of Government Relations at GEMS Education and a proud UAE National, said: “Today is a celebration of the coming together of the seven emirates and 43 years of achievements thanks to the vision and wisdom of the UAE leadership. On this day we remember the founders of the modern UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and their brothers. We also salute and congratulate His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of our country; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and their Highnesses the Supreme Council members and Rulers of the Emirates. 

“Our world record-breaking rendition of the UAE National Anthem is a celebration of unity through diversity – represented by 119 of the 200 nationalities who call the UAE home, and who are eager to give thanks and acknowledge the opportunities they have been given by our nation.”

Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director and Board Member, GEMS Education, said: “GEMS’ celebration of the 43rd National Day of the UAE aligns with the vision of the Father of the Nation, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and demonstrates that his values and principles of diversity and progress are alive and well in the UAE today.  By encouraging students, parents, and staff to take part in our celebrations, GEMS is conveying a message to the world – that diversity and tolerance is evidence of a nation’s vitality and proof of its ability to achieve wonders.” 

In claiming today’s world record, each school from across GEMS’ UAE network sent a group of students to GEMS Wellington Academy – Dubai Silicon Oasis. The students had been eagerly practicing the national anthem for the last two weeks.  A live broadcast of the record-breaking event was simultaneously broadcast to 40 GEMS schools across the UAE. 

Following the official acknowledgment of the new record by the Guinness World Records team, certificates were distributed to participating GEMS schools.