Dubai's 'Mohammeds' smash record

By Julia Wheeler
BBC News, Dubai

Dubai also broke the record for the largest human flag

The record for the largest gathering of people sharing the same name has been broken in the Gulf city of Dubai.

It is one of five world records the city is trying to break during its annual month-long shopping festival.

The previous record for a same-name gathering was created by 375 "Marias" in Spain in 2003.

This time, it was the men who were invited, specifically men with arguably the most popular name in the Muslim world, Mohammed.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 "Mohammeds" assembled at one of the city's parks.

There was a mix of ages from babies and toddlers to grandfathers.

All had to produce an original birth certificate to prove their name.

Record of records

In other world record attempts, the city on Thursday succeeded in forming the largest human flag.

More than 16,000 schoolchildren created the red, white, black and green of the United Arab Emirates flag.

The city is also hoping to take the records for the largest charity box, the biggest mosaic made from drinks cans and the fastest pizza-eating attempt.

In the past it has been responsible for such wonders as the biggest prayer mat and the longest sofa.

All such attempts are designed to create publicity for a city which is hungry to be noticed.