HONOUR THE FLAG, FLY IT HIGH
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated Flag Day celebrations by hoisting the UAE Flag at the Union House, on Thursday. Speaking to 1,600 students, Sheikh Mohammed said: “I call on our youth to protect and honour our flag and make sure we fly it high in all sectors.”
Reaffirming allegiance to the UAE flag, the country erupted in a host of festivities at the stroke of 11 on Thursday morning to mark UAE Flag Day.
Although Flag Day is marked officially on November 3, this year His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, called on residents to celebrate the day on November 1. Flag day is celebrated annually since it was declared in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed to commemorate the accession of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE in 2004.
The celebration began at the Union House where Sheikh Mohammed attended the flag hoisting ceremony at 11am. “Today we celebrate another key national occasion, just days after celebrating the launch of our first satellite fully built by Emiratis. On this day, we remember the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to defend the sovereignty of the nation. We also pay tribute to our brave soldiers in the battlefield who stand tall defending justice,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
The occasion also saw a mesmerising performance by the Al Fursan , the UAE aerobatics team, that coloured the Jumeirah coastline in patriotic colours.
Greeting the 1,600 students participating in the event, Sheikh Mohammed said: “On this occasion, I call on our youth to protect and honour our flag and make sure we fly it high in all sectors.”
In a video released by the Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed was seen applauding the aerobatics team and shaking hands with students gathered at the Union House dressed in flag coloured uniforms.
Sheikh Mohammed also posted a poem on his official Twitter
handle in Arabic: “The flag is mine, Zayed had raised it high; we keep it safe, we live to raise it high; we protect it with our blood and never leave it; we plant it deep in our hearts.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also tweeted from his official Twitter handle: “We celebrate Flag Day along the length and breadth of this nation. We recognise the symbolism of the flag on this momentous occasion which signifies the unity of this nation’s leadership and its greatness. This year, it has an even greater significance, being the Year of Zayed. It brought us together under one word and one flag, the flag of unity.”
A number of government and private entities commemorated the day with much fervour across the country with leaders, citizens and residents taking part in flag hoisting events. Hundreds of Expo 2020 Dubai team members from over 60 nationalities, participated in the ceremony on the Expo 2020 site. Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, led the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, said that celebrating the UAE flag is a national occasion that is dear to the hearts of the UAE’s sons and daughters, citizens and residents alike.
“At that moment when people of the UAE gather to raise the UAE flag all at the same time, their souls are filled with the grandest of meanings… As their hearts sing the national anthem, they are overwhelmed with pride of their flag, leadership and achievements. They tell the world a story of Emirati patriotism and belonging,” he added.
The flag is mine, Zayed had raised it high; we keep it safe, we live to raise it high; we protect it with our blood and never leave it; we plant it deep in our hearts.” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
We recognise the symbolism of the flag on this momentous occasion which signifies the unity of this nation’s leadership and its greatness. This year it has an even greater significance, being the Year of Zayed.” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan