5 Incredibly Funny and Weird Records Broken in the Middle East

The world’s tallest tower, the largest indoor ski slope, the longest driverless metro line and the “tallest man-made structure on land ever”: Dubai is known for its record-breaking enthusiasm, but these 5 funny and weird records across the UAE and the Middle East will surely top your list.

1) Largest same name gathering of people with the same name

And guess what is the name? When 1,096 Mohammeds met as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival in February 2005, they broke world records for the largest gathering of people with the same first name. The event was held at Creek Park in Dubai.

2) Fastest text message written in Arabic blindfolded

The fastest text message in Arabic blindfolded is 2 min 13 sec achieved by Mohamed Ahmed Al Mulla (UAE) at the Guinness World Records Pavilion in Global Village, Dubai, UAE, in January 2009. The prescribed message was a translation of “The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”

3) Most scorpions in the mouth

An uncomfortable attempt, the most scorpions held in the mouth is 22, and was achieved by Maged Elmalke (Saudi Arabia) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September 2008.

4) Most nationalities washing their hands simultaneously

The most nationalities washing their hands simultaneously is 72 and was achieved by Lifebuoy (Unilever Gulf FZE – UAE) in Dubai, UAE, in October 2012. More than 200 participants from 72 countries washed their hands in celebration of Global Hand-washing Day. Participants came from all four corners of the globe, such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Estonia, Hungary, Iraq, Malawi, Palestine, Syria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

5) Most flip flops held in one hand in one minute

The hilarious achievement took place in Saudi Arabia in 2013, when the kingdom broke 24 world records, including most flip flops held in one hand in one minute with a record-setting 22.

For more information: Visit the Guinness World Records website.

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