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Egypt Breaks World Record for Longest Iftar Table

Egypt Breaks World Record for Longest Iftar Table

Following previous announcements of Egypt’s attempt to break a new Guinness record, the country has managed to snag a new world record for the longest iftar table on June 1.

The record, breaking UAE’s 2,893.64 meters table record last June, went to enormous three-kilometer table which hosted almost 7,000 people in the new Administrate capital.

The Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD) made the announcement for the attempt to make the longest ‘iftar table’ in the world earlier this month.

An iftar ‘mercy’ table is a cherished tradition in Muslim countries during the holy month of Ramadan where the city’s poor and unprivileged are invited to break fast freely through the assistance of fortunate citizens.

The event, attended by a representative from the Guinness World Records,  was followed by entertainment as well as a chance to tour the existing facilities of the new capital.

Although the record was celebrated briefly on social media, many users took to criticizing the attempt for mis-allocation of funds; criticism also opened way  to inquire about the status of the capital’s funding by Chinese investments companies which has been rumored to be halted.

A model of planned new capital of Egypt is represented during Egypt Economic Development Conference in 2015

The new administrative capital was announced in March of 2015, and it is currently being constructed in the desert 45 kilometers east of Cairo. It is the government’s premier mega-project, as the administration seeks to mold Egypt into an attractive foreign investment.

It hopes to distribute its 95-million strong population across the country’s vast desert land more evenly in an attempt to decrease traffic congestion, population density and ease the burden on the urban infrastructure.

The new administrative capital was announced in March of 2015, and it is currently being constructed in the desert 45 kilometers east of Cairo. It is the government’s premier mega-project, as the administration seeks to mold Egypt into an attractive foreign investment.

It hopes to distribute its 95-million strong population across the country’s vast desert land more evenly in an attempt to decrease traffic congestion, population density and ease the burden on the urban infrastructure.

The project has done well for employment though, providing 170,000 jobs so far and more as the next phases of the project are set into motion, but the economic benefits will only be apparent if the gross investment in the project pays off. The capital is owned primarily by the armed forces, with a 51% share in the project.

The development was expected: if the intention is to mold this new capital into a new financial center in the Middle East, then it must contain its own airport. Whether or not the new capital will draw in the foreign investment it hopes to attract remains to be seen.

According to the Official Guinness Records, there are more than 90 entries for Egypt; it ranges from largest underpants, to fastest cat breed and deepest scuba dive.

Recently, Guinness World Records handed a certificate to the new Rod Al Farag Axis Bridge in Egypt for being the widest cable-stayed bridge, which measures 67.3 m (220 ft 9.6 in) wide.

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