Flash mob planned in mall

Hundreds of people are expected to turn up at the Mall of the Emirates, in Dubai and stand still for five minutes.

People pretend to sleep during a flash mob in California.

It started as an internet craze appealing to the mischievous, while baffling and bemusing onlookers. But Dubai's first attempt at staging a "flash mob" has left some officials concerned over security if its organisers manage to entice hundreds to converge on a busy shopping mall. Flash mobbing started in New York five years ago and entails gathering a large group of people, usually tipped off via the internet or text messaging, to perform an unusual act or stunt for several minutes before quickly dispersing. Previous flash mobs have seen crowds "worshipping" landmarks with bananas or hounding furniture store staff with enquiries about "love rugs".

To some it is performance art, but others simply see it as a subversive method of causing disruptions in public places and worrying authorities. The UAE has never experienced the phenomenon. But tomorrow perhaps hundreds of flash mobbers are expected to walk into the Mall of the Emirates - and then freeze on the spot for five minutes. Nearly 500 people have already confirmed through the community site Facebook that they will take part, while more than 600 have said they might attend.

The plan has caused consternation among managers at the mall, the biggest in the Middle East. "This is the first we have heard of it, but we will have to send extra security," said a spokesman. The flash mob's organiser, Firas Natour, 26, told fellow enthusiasts on Facebook: "Don't you think it's about time Dubai gets a flash mob? I do! This group will be the official starter for flash mobs in Dubai... so hurry and invite all your friends from Dubai to join in," the Jordanian-born site engineer said.

"Our goal is to be the largest and most random flash mob in the world ... hopefully [we will] one day break the Guinness world record for the largest flash mob." "This is meant to be pure fun," he said when interviewed. "I saw a flash mob two months ago on YouTube and thought to myself, 'why not?'. "I'm optimistic about the turnout and am expecting at least 200 people judging from the response. It will freak security for sure, but that's just part of the fun."

His page on Facebook gives instructions on what will take place. On the command - which will consist of Mr Natour tying his shoelaces at a designated location - flash mobbers have been told to gather around him and freeze on the spot in any position. After exactly five minutes, Mr Natour will clap loudly three times as a signal for everybody to leave quickly. His proposal was met with enthusiasm on the web yesterday. "Wow, can't wait. Just worried I'll crack up," one fan wrote in an e-mail.

Another wrote: "Watch the security guards get nervous and freak out then 25 seconds later the mall is swarming with police!" Previous flash mobs have confused, perturbed and amused bystanders. In one incident, more than 100 gathered by the London Eye in the UK for a bizarre outbreak of chanting and bowing. The crowd waved bananas and umbrellas before eating the fruit and mock-worshipping the landmark.

In the first flash mob, 150 people descended on Macy's department store in New York to ask confused assistants about buying a "love rug" for their "suburban commune". In the biggest flash mob yet, more than 3,500 people turned Paddington train station in London into a dance floor. Attempts to organise mobs have backfired, however. Last month a flash mob expected to attract 1,000 people in Sydney, Australia, flopped when only 15 turned up to whisper "tick tock" for a minute in a public place.

@Email:[e-mail]