Istanbul sets world’s longest, most crowded Iftar table

Ahlul Bayt News Agency, The Esenler Municipality in Istanbul has broken a Guiness World Record by organizing the world’s largest and most crowded Iftar table.

Some 41,120 people broke their Ramadan fasts at a 10-kilometer-long table, consisting of 7,000 individual tables, at the record-breaking “iftar,” laid in a central area of the district. Atışalanı Street, which continues until Davutpaşa Street, was the only street closed to traffic in the neighborhood as the thousands of fast-breakers all sat down to attempt to break the record for the world’s biggest dinner. 

In the attempt, people were encouraged to bring their own meals from home, while at the same time some 10 tons of rice, eight tons of meat, 100,000 bottles of water, 45,000 bottles of fruit juice and ayran (a traditional Turkish drink made of salty yogurt), as well as 500 trays of baklava (a traditional Turkish sweet pastry), were distributed. Some 2,900 people were involved in the organization of the event and some 50 Guinness commissioners observed it.

Very interesting images characterized the record-breaking attempt, as those who had not brought anything from home struggled among the thousands of others to receive their iftar meals, and others who could not find a seat sat on green spots nearby the dinner tables to break their fast.

The inhabitants of the neighborhood said they were very happy they were breaking their fast with thousands of people.

Meanwhile, Guiness representatives said they would send the file to London and that they felt strongly that the event would be included in the record book.