Hundreds take part in giant pillow fight at Dubai Mall

Children of all ages participated in the giant pillow fight competition at Dubai Mall yesterday. Razan Alzayani / The National

DUBAI // A giant pillow fight competition at Dubai Mall yesterday saw hundreds of children as young as six gang up and sock it to teenagers up to three times their age.

The event was held on the mall's ice rink, which was covered with padding for the day-long event.

"No one could hit me, I'm tall and I know how to defend. But I hit lots of people," said 15-year-old Hussam Jamal, from Iraq.

"I hit every single person in reach. You can do anything you want and not worry about hurting anyone."

The event, which ran from 11am to 11pm, as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises festival, attracted 500 children.

The organiser, Suhaila Saqer bin Gobash, said that although parents were required to sign a waiver before their children took part, the welfare of youngsters was a top concern.

"We have civil defence, police and the ambulance services who are all on stand-by in case of any emergency," said Ms bin Gobash, the festivals and events director at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment. "It's just a fun day for children and families."

Nabeel Assuelmi, whose sons, aged 19, 17 and 13, took part, said he was pulled in while walking in the mall.

He was initially worried that the relative age of his sons could cause younger children to get clobbered.

"I tested the pillows myself first to make sure," he said. "They were very soft."