News DeskDubai, UAE – Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) proudly welcomed cricket icons Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul for a special visit on Sunday to mark the success of the “Hands of Unity” campaign — a community initiative recently recognised by Guinness World Records for creating the Largest UAE Flag with Handprints.
The flag, a powerful emblem of unity, features 24,514 individual handprints contributed by people from over 100 nationalities. The record-breaking project was officially awarded to Pakistan Association Dubai, Emirates Loves, and renowned artist Rubab Zahra during a special ceremony held on May 22 at PAD. The achievement reflects the spirit of inclusion and solidarity aligned with the UAE’s Year of Community.
Shahid Afridi expressed his admiration at the event, saying, “I want to thank Pakistan Association Dubai and Emirates Loves Pakistan for inviting me to this great occasion. This is a country [UAE] that unites 100+ nationalities — and you can see that reflected in these 24,000+ handprints. Special thanks to Mariam who worked so hard, and to the entire PAD team whose efforts made this world record possible. It’s a team game, and they worked like a true team.”
Umar Gul also praised the initiative: “It’s amazing to be here at Pakistan Association Dubai. I’ve heard over 100 nationalities contributed to these handprints. It’s so inspiring to see this bond of love between such a diverse community. This is exactly what we want to see in the world – peace and social cohesion.”
Dr. Faisel Ikram, President of PAD, highlighted the significance of the visit, saying, “Their presence reminded us of the strength of unity – not just in sport, but across communities. This record is our token of appreciation for the UAE, which is home to almost two million Pakistanis and a country that leads with values of tolerance and togetherness.”
The Hands of Unity campaign engaged 23 educational institutions, activated at 39 different sites, and united thousands across the Emirates. The visit by the cricket legends added a moment of pride for both the Pakistani community and the broader multicultural society of the UAE, reinforcing PAD’s mission to foster shared values through impactful community-driven efforts.
