ABU DHABI // Thousands of messages of gratitude, appreciation and love for the UAE are contributing towards a Guinness World Record attempt for the most signatures written on a scroll.
More than 130,000 signatures and messages in many languages have been made at Abu Dhabi Mall, and the Amaar Ya Emarat (Longevity to the UAE) initiative has exceeded the minimum 10,000 required for the new record category, according to the project’s founder, Bushra Said.
“I thought up this project as a way to show expat appreciation to the country’s rulers for providing the security and prosperity we can’t find in our own countries,” said the Palestinian, who has lived in the UAE for 10 years.
To realise the initiative, Ms Said approached Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, head of currency service UAE Exchange, and healthcare company New Medical Centre.
“When Bushra approached me with this idea I jumped all over it.
“What better way to celebrate National Day and show my indebtedness to the country. Even though you’re not a citizen this country makes you feel like you belong too,” he said.
With Mr Shetty’s sponsorship signatures are now being collected in more than 100 UAE Exchange and NMC branches across the country. Once all of the signatures are collected, the scroll is expected to be between 1km and 2km long.
Signatures will continue to be collected until Friday, with Guinness officials tallying up the totals on Saturday.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
