Dubai Gurudwara earns a place in the Guinness World Records on Baisakhi
Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar, at Jebel Ali Village in Dubai, in April 2017 entered the Guinness World Records after it served breakfast to more than 600 people from 101 nationalities. The event was inspired by the tradition of Sikhism, which is serving ‘Langar’ to people without differentiating. This impressive breakfast event was held on the occasion of Baisakhi to spread a message of optimism, diversity, and harmony throughout the United Arab Emirates, and to commemorate the federation's Year of Giving initiative.
Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple was founded in 2012. It has emerged as a major tourist destination in Dubai. Over four million people have been served a meal in the gurdwara since its inception. Surender Singh Kandhari, a resident of Dubai since 1976, established the community-run gurdwara, which is the first recognized Sikh temple in the Middle East and the GCC.
Celebrating Diversity
During the event, participants dressed in their national dress as a symbol of harmony. To start the day off in record fashion, they all gathered around a traditional breakfast of bread, pastries, spreads, yogurt, cereal, and a beverage. With an incredible 101 different nationalities registered and over 600 people in attendance, a new Guinness World Records title was set for the Most nationalities having a continental breakfast.
Fostering intercultural harmony
The Sikh place of worship invited a hugely varied group of people to the event. It was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Singh Suri, and United Nations representative Frode Mauring. Among the attendees, there were schoolchildren, government officials, and diplomats from several countries, including Australia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, India, Mexico, Philippines, Serbia, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Peru, Vietnam, Romania, and Kenya, among others.
During a conversation with The Khaleej Times, Surender Kandhari, chairman of the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar temple said, "Sikhism has always embraced diversity as it has been part of our faith and belief, that we are all human beings to be treated with respect,".
As a Guinness World Records MENA manager, Talal Omar said, "We are proud to support the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar Dubai Sikh Temple in breaking a fantastic record that brings together people of different faiths. As a brand, we encourage record-breaking activities that encourage all human efforts, particularly those that bring people together."
This impressive event, called "Breakfast for Diversity," wasn't just held to distinguish the Gurudwara; it was also a means to embrace the religious principles that promote compassion and charity.