Sharjah Baby Friendly Office breaks Guinness title

The Sharjah Baby Friendly Office (SBFO) broke a Guinness World Records (GWR) title for ‘Most people in a photo cutout board picture’, with 72 people in one frame.

It broke the previous GWR title of 60 people, held by UAE company ‘Plan B’ in association with Middle East Events & Exhibition.

The successful attempt formed part of the second edition of the Sharjah Carnival for Children and Youth, being held from Nov.21-22 in conjunction with World Children’s Day observed annually on Nov.20.

During the carnival, SBFO set up a 50-metre-long wall at Al Majaz Amphitheatre Island to serve as the frame in which 72 people posed for a world-record cut-out board photo. The illustrations that were used to decorate the board reflected the basic rights of children, as indicated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Dr Hessa Khalfan Al Ghazal, Executive Director of SBFO, pointed out that the new achievement added to the portfolio of milestones achieved by the entity.

She said: “It is a matter of great pride to break a Guinness World Records title as part of the biggest child-dedicated event in Sharjah, the second Carnival for Children and Youth, which reflects the vision and directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs to elevate the status of children and better their lives. It is fitting that the carnival’s theme this year was children’s rights, honouring the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.”

The Sharjah Child and Youth Carnival paid tribute to the city’s exceptional efforts towards safeguarding the rights and promoting the well-being of children and youth.

An earlier report said two full days of fun and games have been dedicated to this unique carnival, which will be organised on the picturesque Al Majaz Amphitheatre Island. It will be an occasion for children, families and the whole community to enjoy and learn, from 9am - 10pm on both days.

In celebration of Sharjah’s support for children’s rights and to mark the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child this year, the island has been named the ‘Children’s Rights Island’ for the carnival.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, this SBFO carnival celebrates the exceptional qualities and achievements of the city’s children and youth by bringing the whole community together to connect and celebrate.

Festivities will unfold on the island, completely transformed into a child-friendly edutainment zone filled with exciting games, educational workshops and fun activities, including roving dance performances and processions, a photo booth, a tunnel of light, giant chairs, and flag poles themed around children’s rights. Activities will include workshops on cube painting, stencil painting and tote bags painting, and a variety of games staged on various parts of the island. There will also be lounges where families can relax and unwind.

Dr Hessa Al Ghazal, Executive Director of SBFO, said: “On the occasion of World Children’s Day, we invite families and schools in to bring their children and students for two days of fun and edutainment. The carnival’s main theme this year is children’s rights as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. We pay tribute to this achievement with activities and games themed around children’s rights.” She added: “The carnival reflects His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi’s vision and directives, and his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi’s support to elevating the status of children and bettering their lives. This is a great opportunity for the community to unite, celebrate our children and youth, and recognise Sharjah’s achievements to create a nurturing environment for them.” Sharjah will also participate in Unicef’s global GoBlue campaign through ‘Go Blue Sharjah’, which will be an intrinsic feature of the carnival, with the Al Majaz Amphitheatre building being lit up in blue symbolically, alongside other destinations such as the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and The Flag Island, to show the emirate’s support for children’s rights globally.