Post date: Dec 17, 2013 2:30:51 PM
Qatar has cemented a place in the record books for making the world's largest flag, covering an area of more than 100,000 square metres.
DOHA, QATAR (DECEMBER 16, 2013) (REUTERS) - The colours of the Qatari flag can be seen from far and wide. This giant flag, created for all to see has broken the World record for the largest flag.
It covers an area of more than 100,000 square metres, covering more than a dozen soccer pitches.Head of the Guinness World Records Middle East Operations Talal Omar, praised those who made the banner, saying they showed a true sense of 'team spirit.''
"About 2000 people participated in the work. Many companies co-operated in the project. I think it was a difficult job logistically. But, as I have always said, there was a one team spirit. For those working on the project it was not a personal goal, but a gift from them to the country and a celebration of the national day that gathers them all. I am happy to announce the new world record which is 101,979 square meters,' 'said Omar.
Many of those who contributed to this moment in Qatar's history were government workers and police graduates.
Omar also spoke of the high quality of the craftsmanship.
"We were really impressed with the kind of material and sewing of this flag, the quality of knitting and the final product or the whole flag. A flag the size of 19 football fields is not easy to make, especially in such a short period . But I hail what we saw. It was up to our expectations if not more,'' he added.
Due to its size, the flag was made in different stages at Qatar's Al Mutahjiba Factory and put together on the ground.
Factory Manager Mohsen Abu Yussif said they only had a matter of days to prepare the finished product.
"Due to the weight of the flag, which weighs 9 and half tonnes, it was made into 9 pieces inside the factory then assembled on site. This was the most dangerous and challenging part of the project due to the limited time. The assembly which should have taken 25 days, we had to do it in five days,'' said Yussif.
The flag was made as part of the Gulf state's National Day celebrations.
Hundreds of Qataris attended a celebratory ceremony on Monday (December 16) night to see World Record officially being awarded to Qatar.
The first world record for the biggest national flag was recorded in the year 1976.
Since then the record has been broken 12 times, with the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon andMorocco all being previous record holders.