A mural depicting a mental map of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, has received recognition from the Guinness World Records, which has declared it the largest artwork of its kind in the world.
The art, which was created by the Ministry of Interior’s Innovation Centre, is the world’s largest mental mapping mural. It is on display in Al Sufouh, Dubai, at the Police Academy square.
A mental map, also known as a mind map, is a graphic that shows how a person thinks or sees things. The work depicts a portrait of the leader, as well as explanations of his thoughts and objectives for the country’s future, radiating and unfurling in numerous directions, with theme portions connected by colourful lines.
Sheikh Zayed is remembered in UAE history as a visionary whose ambitions for the country helped it to become what it is today.
Dubai has a long history of setting world records, with achievements ranging from the bizarre to the inventive (“largest hand-woven spiral place mat” and “largest flower petal carpet”). As of late 2019, the UAE had 339 records, with Dubai accounting for 225 of them.
Guinness World Records has six offices throughout the world, one of which opened in Dubai in 2013. According to representatives from the organisation, roughly 50 to 60 world records are attempted each week.