National Day of the United Arab Emirates

NATIONAL Day in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) commemorates its independence or formal nationalization from the British Protectorate Treaties, which resulted from the expiration of the British treaty on December 2, 1971. The seven kingdoms were subsequently unified and UAE was established.

National Day is also devoted to paying tribute to its first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who led the unification movement. “Heritage Villages” are set up all over the country to showcase the country’s rich past. Through these villages, traditional aspects of the desert way of life, including a campfire with coffee pots, goats’ hair tent, and falaj irrigation system, are attractively displayed in the open museum. There are craftsmen who are more than willing to demonstrate traditional skills, such as metal work and pottery, while women sit and showcase their weaving and spinning crafts to their guests. The entire nation takes on a celebratory mood with dancing, auto shows, concert, parades, special museum exhibits, fireworks, and other events and festivities.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula bordering on the Gulf. To the east is Oman; to the south is Saudi Arabia. It faces Qatar to the west and Iran to the north. The country is a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi (which serves as its capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate is governed by a monarch. One of the monarchs (traditionally, the Emir of Abu Dhabi) is selected as president of UAE. Islam is the official religion of the UAE and Arabic is the official language. English, Urdu, and Hindi are also widely spoken, with English being the language of business and education, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and the UAE is evident from the fact that it is among the top destinations of Overseas Filipino Workers who number at least half a million. Last April 27, 2017, Philippine Ambassador to UAE Constancio R. Vingno met with Mr. Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman of the Lulu Group International, at the latter’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The Lulu Group employs a big number of Filipinos not only in the UAE but in the whole Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The Philippines has an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate general office in Dubai and the UAE has an embassy in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

We congratulate the people and government of the United Arab Emirates led by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, on the occasion of its 46th National Day celebration.