Two years after Ghana broke the Guinness world record for the longest feast table, another African country, Egypt, has followed suit after organizing the world’s longest ‘Iftar’ (fast-breaking) banquet during the Muslim month of Ramadan.
The 3,100-metre ‘Iftar’ table was set up in the country’s new administrative capital, which is being built east of Cairo. An estimated 7,000 people attended the banquet on Saturday, according to local media reports.
The previous world record was set in 2018 by the Ajman municipality in the United Arab Emirates, with a table measuring 2,983.64 metres, serving 6,000 people. The table in Egypt beat that record by 200 metres, measuring at 3189.83 metres, reports The National.
An iftar ‘mercy’ table is often organized in Muslim countries during the holy month of Ramadan where the poor are invited to break their fast freely through support from the communities.
This year’s event, which was attended by a representative from the Guinness World Records, was followed by entertainment and an opportunity for patrons to tour the existing facilities of the new capital.
Work has already begun on the unnamed smart city and administrative capital, 40km east of Cairo and the government is set to soon relocate to the area.
The new capital is expected to house a total of five million people when completed, with a display of Chinese-built high-rises and residential buildings.
The long-cherished project would also house a majority of government buildings, including a new presidential palace, Parliament, 32 ministries and foreign embassies.
Last month, Egypt opened a suspension bridge over the Nile, and this was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s widest suspension bridge. The Rod al-Farag bridge has six traffic lanes in each direction and measures 67.3 metres across.
According to the Official Guinness Records, there are more than 90 entries for Egypt; ranging from largest underpants to fastest cat breed and deepest scuba dive, reports Egyptian Streets.
The country’s latest world record for the longest feast table has been hailed by many on social media. It comes on the back of Ghana’s in 2017 when the country’s market leader in food seasoning products, ONGA, broke the Guinness world record for the longest feast table that saw nearly 3,000 guests.
Saudi Arabian firm, Afia International Company was then the record holder for the Longest Feast Table. The company broke the record with a feast table measuring 1,508 metres, but ONGA beat that record with a difference of over 400 metres resulting in a table length of 1,928.18 metres.
The occasion featured light entertainment from a cross-section of local artists who graced the event with their performances, while the 3,000 guests in attendance were treated to some of Ghana’s tasty local cuisines.
The following video shows the world’s longest ‘Iftar’ (fast-breaking) banquet in Egypt over the weekend:
