7 weird and wonderful world records achieved in the UAE

From the heaviest vehicle pulled by hair to the largest kidney ever removed

The UAE is the proud holder of many world records, including some weird and wonderful ones. Courtesy Guinness World Records

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the UAE is the proud holder of many, many world records. Dubai is home to the world's tallest building, Abu Dhabi is the proud owner of the world's largest chandelier and carpet, while in Ras Al Khaimah you will find the Jebel Jais Flight, the world's longest zip wire.

Those are just a handful of the “world’s biggest”, “world’s tallest”, or “world’s fastest” things that are dotted around the emirates, but there are also plenty of lesser known titles the UAE holds.

From the ridiculously obscure to the downright baffling, Guinness has issued dozens of its coveted world record certificates here, and as the famous organisation prepares to enter another decade of remarkable feats, it has given a preview of some of the new records the UAE has achieved in its 2020 edition.

Here are three that will be featured:

Most diamonds set on a perfume bottle

A perfume bottle boasting more than 3,500 diamonds was unveiled in Dubai in 2019. Called Shumukh, the perfume now holds the record for most diamonds set on a perfume bottle with 3,571. The unisex fragrance made by Spirit of Dubai Parfums (part of Nabeel Perfumes Group) is also described as the world's most expensive at a cost of $1.295 million (Dh4.75 million).

Asghar Adam Ali alongside his creation, Shumukh

Longest straight-line fireworks display

The UAE never fails in celebrating New Year's Eve with a spectacular fireworks show, and the arrival of 2019 proved no different. The creative team in Ras Al Khaimah managed to draw the longest straight-line fireworks display which was measured in a straight line from the first fireworks station to the last. Every individual station could be no more than 2km apart with at least 300kg of fireworks used. The display had to last for at least five minutes. The final measurements were 13.002km (8.07 miles).

Largest light and sound show on a single building

The largest light and sound show on a single building, measuring at 109,252 metres² (1,175,978 ft²), was staged on the Burj Khalifa and was achieved by Emaar on 1 January 2018. The light and sound show was displayed on the world's tallest building as part of a New Year's Eve show that combined lighting, lasers, an LED screen, sound and fountains.

New Years Eve celebrations at Burj Khalifa. Christopher Pike / The National

Other world records achieved in the UAE

Fastest 10 metres by a horse on its hind legs

In February 2016, Guinness World Records awarded an extremely talented horse called Desert an official certificate for achieving the fastest 10 metres on hind legs by a horse, in a record-breaking 9.21 seconds.

Desert, a 16-year-old Grey Gelding owned by H. H. Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, was expertly trained by Rui De Sousa.

The animal was not allowed to be coerced, pushed or pulled in any way during the attempt at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian club.

Largest ever kidney removed in Dubai

UAE resident Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Omar was presented with a Guinness World Record certificate after having the world’s largest kidney removed by a Dubai surgeon in July 2017.

The operation was performed by Dr. Fariborz Bagheri, head of the Urology Department at Dubai Hospital. The kidney weighed 4.25kg (9lb 5.91oz). Mr Omar had been suffering from Polycystic Kidney Disease.

The UAE holds the world record for the largest flag flown during a skydive, achieved in Dubai in December 2018. Courtesy Guinness

Largest flag flown while skydiving

A skydive featuring a flag the size of an American football field set a new record in the UAE in 2018.

The jump happened on November 29 in celebration of the country’s National Day, breaking the record for the largest flag flown while skydiving (parachute jump). The attempt took place at Skydive Dubai’s desert campus with a Guinness World Records adjudicator.

For this achievement, the UAE national flag was chosen to be flown. Measuring 4,885.65 metres² (52,588.70 ft²) and with a weight of 95 kilos, the jump took place from 9,500 feet above the ground.

UAE resident Mahmood Shamshun Al Arab holds the record for the heaviest vehicle pulled by hair. Courtesy Guinness

The heaviest vehicle pulled by hair

UAE resident Mahmood Shamshun Al Arab became a world record holder for pulling a heavy vehicle with his hair in December 2017. He managed to tow a 10,380-kilogramme (22883.98lb) truck with his own hair during the attempt in Fujairah, which took place during UAE National Day celebrations.