Throats were cleared and voices raised last month as 100,000 people came together in Dubai to sing their way into the record books.

Organised by international education company GEMS to commemorate the Emirates 43rd National Day, students, staff and parents joined together to break the Guinness World Records title for most nationalities singing a National Anthem at any one time.   

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The record took place at GEMS Wellington Academy in Dubai where 119 nationalities sang in unison ‘Ishy Baladi’ (Long Live My Nation), the National Anthem of the UAE. 

Each school from across the GEM’S UAE network sent a group of students to join the world record attempt. A live broadcast of the record-breaking event was simultaneously broadcast to 40 GEMS schools across the UAE.

Following confirmation that a new record had been set, Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director and Board Member, GEMS Education, said:

“GEMS’ celebration of the 43rd National Day of the UAE aligns with the vision of the Father of the Nation, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and demonstrates that his values and principles of diversity and progress are alive and well in the UAE today.  By encouraging students, parents, and staff to take part in our celebrations, GEMS is conveying a message to the world – that diversity and tolerance is evidence of a nation’s vitality and proof of its ability to achieve wonders.”

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Amal Al Bayari, Director of Government Relations at GEMS Education and a proud UAE National, said:

“Our world record-breaking rendition of the UAE National Anthem is a celebration of unity through diversity – represented by 119 of the 200 nationalities who call the UAE home, and who are eager to give thanks and acknowledge the opportunities they have been given by our nation.”