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Disaster Takes Over World’s Longest Iftar Table Event Held in Alexandria

June 26, 2015
Food was stolen from the vans upon their arrival.
Food was stolen from the vans upon their arrival.

Chaos swept the streets of the coastal city Alexandria as an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest charitable iftar table ended in havoc and disaster on Friday.

The event which was sponsored by the Alexandria Governorate was set to stretch along the corniche spanning three kilometers from San Stefano to Stanley Bridge breaking the previous record of two kilometers set in Italy. But as disorder took over, more tables and chairs than world records were broken.

People patiently waiting at the iftar table before sunset. Credit: Nesma Elgohary
People patiently waiting at the iftar table before sunset. Credit: Nesma Elgohary

Known as ‘Mawaed Al Rahman’, the tables are often set up across Egypt and the Middle East during the Holy Month of Ramadan to ensure those who are financially disadvantaged are provided with a meal to break their fast.

Longest line of tables preparations in Alexandria. Credit: Omar El Naggar
Longest line of tables preparations in Alexandria. Credit: Omar El Naggar

Despite the charitable and hospitable nature of ‘Mawaed Al Rahman’, the event requested that people would register online for attending the event, a feature that made it inaccessible for many people, especially the unprivileged. For a week, the event has been receiving registrations which reached 7,000 online registrations.

Many attendees were barely served food as it was snatched from the vans before they were served. Credit: Ahmed Shawat
Many attendees were barely served food as it was snatched from the vans before they were served. Credit: Ahmed Shawat

According to attendees’ comments, the last minute arrival of Hani El Messiry, Governor of Alexnadria, caused further chaos as he decided that the invitation to the iftar table should be made public.

Broken chairs and tables as the Guinness World Record attempt ends in havoc.
Broken chairs and tables as the Guinness World Record attempt ends in havoc.

After waiting for hours to break their fast, many people were barely served water, let alone food, as the servings were stolen and snatched from the vans before the organizers could even serve them to the attendees.

Shortly afterwards, dissatisfaction and tension replaced what was earlier excitement for the event. The event’s organizers struggled to contain the attendees’ growing dismay as tables and chairs were thrown into the middle of the street.

Comments (38)

    1. ÃĎel El Beshtamy says:

      You are right ^_^

    2. Mandarina Naguib says:

      I wonder who the real animals are!!!

    3. Minymina says:

      The ones who ran up and took all the food.

    4. fareedquraishi says:

      Can you stop poor….You must be born with the golden spoon in mouth so dont compare your self with those people not having….

    5. Minymina says:

      All am saying is they acted inappropriately in an uncivilised manner. All they had to do was wait their turn but instead, they ran up like animals, started fights and ruined the event for everyone.

    6. fareedquraishi says:

      oh, sorry its just a misunderstanding,you are absolutely right. Discipline and patience is required all tiers

  1. Óscar Vicente Cifuentes says:

    Very civilized people…

    1. Steve says:

      Comes with their religion…

    2. Ahmed Makky says:

      religion is against such act
      think b4 blaming…

    3. Oscar Vicente Cifuentes says:

      Then they are bad muslims.

    4. Ahmed Shedid El Sayed says:

      at least ., or in other words, bad Egyptians

    5. Oscar Vicente Cifuentes says:

      I don’t think Egyptian=muslim and or muslim=Egyptian.
      Ahmed Makky said above “Religion is against such act”. If religion is against something like that, I guess they are bad muslims. That’s all.

    6. Abdoullah mansour says:

      Such a stupid and unnecessary comment. Egypt isnt all that rich this is somethimg that should have been expected not only because half of the country is poor as it is but because there is so much greed that thats what people rely on to get what they want….its based on the person not their religion. The egyptian government didnt even think about how people would respond to such an event, all that was focused on was how egypt looked to other nations……so mext time before you go blaming religion on how people act take into consideration and think about does your religion define you because whatever you are im sure your religion is peaceful but you make it look trashy… Smh about some of u ignorant people

    7. Minymina says:

      This wasn’t organised by the goverment. They only supported it.

    8. د. أميرة علي says:

      Steve: if you are smart and you seem you know about our religion, could you tell me which part in our religion that comes with it??? I believe this comment is just reflecting who you are and how do you feel about ppl with different religions, if you have one?? and in return I will not attach your “religion”, because I believe in and respect all other religions.