Khaleej Times

Emiratis, expats pumped up as anthem rendition reaches CP

- Saman Haziq saman@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — People of the UAE were moved by the words of appreciati­on from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who said he got emotional when he heard expatriate­s singing the UAE’s national anthem from the balconies and windows of their homes in such a challengin­g time.

“The UAE is proud of our citizens and residents living on our soil. We are proud they (residents) share with us our identity. I was moved to tears when I heard our residents chanting the National Anthem of the UAE on social media platforms as the National Disinfecti­on Programme was being carried out nationwide,” Sheikh Mohamed said.

Media profession­al Sherry Aggarwal, who joins the cheering session in JLT community every day at 8pm from her balcony, said she too got emotional seeing the CP’s video applauding them. Every day, the residents cheer for the relentless efforts of UAE healthcare workers and authoritie­s to combat the spread of Covid-19.

“I have been seeing his video repeatedly and it has imbued me with so much confidence on our leadership. His message really moved me and I am so happy that they value us and appreciate us. The compassion in his voice made me feel confident that we are in the right place and our leaders will get us through this phase,” Aggarwal said.

Lebanese national Alissar Nasr, who continues to cheer for the healthcare workers and the UAE Government every day from her garden in the evening, said she was overwhelme­d to see the Abu Dhabi Crown Price’s video message. “We have lived in Dubai for over 45 years now and we always felt this is home. So, when Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan speaks like this, it only emphasises why this is so. I am proud to call the UAE home,” she said.

Calling the leadership of the country a blessing, Farish Ahmed Al Hammadi, Emirati, appreciate­d the video of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and said it would boost the morale of the people in these trying times.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a true and a clear example of a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that said the best of the Rulers are the ones that you love and they love you back, and the ones that you pray for them and they pray for you too. This is exactly our relationsh­ip with our dear Crown Prince as it is evident that he cares so much about each and every citizen of the UAE. He is always bringing out new schemes, measures and plans to shield us from any harm and to offer us the best harmonious life to all irrespecti­ve of their nationalit­ies. It is a blessing from Allah to have such a great leadership and I pray and hope Allah protects our great leaders and helps us to sail through this situation,” Al Hammadi said.

Indian expat Faisal Kunhiman, who was born and bought up in the

UAE, said he felt reassured after seeing the video message of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. “I got a sense of safety when I saw this video. It made me feel that the leaders of the UAE are working day and night to fight this challenge,” he said.

OyishiI Lahiri, for whom cheering for the country’s frontliner­s has become a daily ritual, said she was elated to know that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed connected with the public emotionall­y and appreciate­d their happiness to be part of the multicultu­ral UAE.

“The UAE is proud of our citizens and residents living on our soil. We are proud they (residents) share with us our identity. I was moved to tears when I heard our residents chanting the National Anthem of the UAE on social media platforms as the National Disinfecti­on Programme was being carried out nationwide.”

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

It is a blessing from Allah to have such a great leadership and I pray and hope Allah protects our great leaders and helps us to sail through this situation.”

Farish Ahmed Al Hammadi,

Emirati

The UAE believes in its people and we believe in the UAE. The national anthem resonates in Dubai Marina these days with immense gratitude and pride for all its residents.”

OyishiI Lahiri,

Dubai resident

I got a sense of safety when I saw this video. It made me feel that the leaders of the UAE are working day and night to fight this challenge.” Faisal Kunhiman,

Indian expat

The compassion in his voice made me feel confident that we are in the right place and our leaders will get us through this phase.” Sherry Aggarwal, media profession­al

 ??  ?? CHEERING FOR THE FRONTLINER­S: Screengrab from a video shows an expat joining the cheering for those who fight Covid-19.
CHEERING FOR THE FRONTLINER­S: Screengrab from a video shows an expat joining the cheering for those who fight Covid-19.
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