The citizen, Ahmed Hassan Al Shehhi, succeeded in converting an idea that artificial intelligence considered “unworkable” into a world record in the Guinness Book of Records, after raising the largest flagpole of the UAE flag mounted on a vehicle, 30 meters long and 15 meters high, overcoming major technical and logistical challenges.
Al Shehhi told Emirates Today that the idea came in conjunction with the “Proud of the Emirates” initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, to enhance feelings of pride and national belonging, explaining that the goal was not to achieve a record as much as it was to present a message expressing love for the Emirates in a different way.
He added, “During the crisis that the region went through, we felt that we had to express our love for the Emirates in an unconventional way, so I came up with the idea of raising a huge flag vertically on a pole mounted on a vehicle, to be a symbol of pride and pride in the country and its leadership.”
He explained that the idea began during a session that brought together a number of friends, including Yahya Saeed Lootah and Nasser Lootah, who were enthusiastic about the project since it was presented, before the stage of study, design and preparation for its implementation on the ground began.
He pointed out that during the planning stage, the team used artificial intelligence tools to study the dimensions of the flag, the mast, and the possibility of implementing the project. However, the results of artificial intelligence indicated the exclusion of the possibility of implementing the idea, due to the large size of the science and the technical challenges associated with it, but I insisted on applying and implementing it.
He said, “We entered the measurements of the flag and the mast into the artificial intelligence programs to study the project, and the results confirmed that the vehicle would not bear the expected loads and might be subject to a coup. But we did not stop at these estimates, and we continued the work and experiments until we succeeded in implementing the idea on the ground. The UAE taught us that the impossible is merely a challenge that can be overcome with will and work.”
He added that after the video spread, many believed that the scene was designed using artificial intelligence or visual effects, due to the magnitude of the flag and the way it was raised. However, the team was forced to show the original recordings that documented all stages of implementation to prove that the project was actually implemented.
He stated that the implementation of the project was based on an equipped truck specially designed to carry the pole, which was 30 meters long and 15 meters high, while the work took only six days, since the start of implementation on April 13, despite the precise engineering and logistical arrangements it required.
He explained that Yahya Saeed Lootah provided the vehicle used in the attempt, while Nasser Lootah carried out the engineering work for the mast and designed it in a way that was commensurate with the size of the flag and safety requirements.
He pointed out that securing a suitable location to carry out the attempt was one of the most prominent challenges facing the team, but communication with the Skydive Dubai management contributed to overcoming this obstacle, as it provided the necessary runway within record time, which allowed the project to be implemented according to the established plan.
The record was recorded in Dubai on April 23, while Al Shehhi received the official accreditation certificate from Guinness on June 5, after the video spread widely across social media platforms, which prompted the encyclopedia to request the original recordings and technical documents for the attempt before officially approving the achievement.
Al Shehhi stressed that what pleased him most was not the record itself, but rather the amount of interaction that the work received within the country, saying: “I felt very proud when I saw the reactions of citizens and residents, and the amount of pride they expressed towards the flag and the Emirates. This interaction was greater for me than any record.”
He added that the achievement represents the ninth number in his Guinness World Record, while the previous eight numbers were linked to the sports of skydiving and sports aviation.
Al Shehhi believes that the support enjoyed by national competencies in the UAE was the most prominent factor behind these achievements, noting that His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, was a source of inspiration and support for his sporting career.
He added, “We have achieved eight previous records with continuous support and encouragement, and we are fortunate in the Emirates with leadership that believes in its children, supports them morally before anything else, and provides them with an environment that helps them transform ideas into achievements.”
Al Shehhi dedicated the record to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council of the Union and Rulers of the Emirates, stressing that the achievement represents a message of loyalty and love for the Emirates, its leadership and its people.
Ahmed Hassan Al Shehhi:
• The idea came in conjunction with the “Proud of the Emirates” initiative, to present a message expressing love for the Emirates in a different way.
• Artificial intelligence ruled out the possibility of implementing the idea, due to the technical challenges associated with it, but I insisted on implementing it.
