The last year marked a significant transformation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it moved towards diversifying its economy through key reforms and initiatives that have led to positive and groundbreaking results.
From lifting its decades-old driving ban on female motorists, to the return of public cinema to the country, to the improvement of women’s rights in the country, Saudi Arabia has managed to make front-page news numerous times over the last months.
On the more fun side of things, the Kingdom has also made headlines in the past for setting world records, and often for charitable or awareness raising efforts as recently reported by Stepfeed. Here are three times Saudi Arabia set world records for a good cause:
1. Largest picture mosaic formed by people
On the 14th of November, 2017, on World Diabetes Day, 4,500 participants gathered together in Jeddah to produce the largest picture mosaic formed by people. This world record feat was made possible by Abeer Medical Group and students of the International Indian School of Jeddah. Participants not only got to be part of a record-breaking moment in Saudi history but got a free health checkup as well.
2. Largest human awareness ribbon
According to the Guinness World Records website, the largest human awareness ribbon in the world was achieved on the 12th of December, 2015 in Riyadh, when 8,264 participants gathered at an event organized by the 10KSA initiative, which is run by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud. The record attempt was organized to raise awareness about breast cancer on the exact same day that Saudi women voted for the first time in the country’s history according to Independent. In fact, more than 100,000 women voted in municipal elections that day.
3. Largest donation of school supplies in 24 hours
In Jeddah’s Mall of Arabia, a local charity called Ayoun Jeddah achieved this feat back in 2012. The donated school supplies totaled 4,019 kilograms and most of them came from bulk donations by stationery suppliers.
