Sharjah teacher creates flag with 5,000 ‘I Love UAE’ stamps

I love the UAE, I have been here for 28 years. I have created golden memories in this place. So this is my humble effort to express my love and gratitude. Rashida Adil, Art teacher, Sharjah Indian School

sharjah — A school teacher in Sharjah has paid tribute to the UAE by creating a giant, eco-friendly flag with 5,000 ‘I Love UAE’ stamps. The 9.5 X 4.5ft tribute comes as the country marks the Flag Day today.

Rashida Adil, an art teacher at Sharjah Indian School, also embedded 500 handmade roses on the flag’s surface to show her love for the country she has called home for the last 28 years.

“I love the UAE, it is my home. I have created golden memories in this place. I came here when I was 21 and have received a lot from this country. So this is my humble effort to express my love and gratitude to the nation. I want this flag to be displayed at Sharjah’s Safeer Mall and eventually gift it to the Rulers,” said Rashida.

She undertook the project on her own. She toiled for over a month, with five hours spent daily on the project after school.

“I took classes online in the morning. Then I would sit down with this project. I must have spent only Dh20 on buying some glitter sheets and a few other raw materials. Rest, everything is recycled from discarded materials. It is totally handcrafted, except for the stamps that I got made from a shop in Sharjah. I ironed the satin ribbons for the roses that I collected from different places and people.”

Last year, the Indian teacher had created a huge flag with 65,000 buttons. “That flag was relatively easier as my students were also involved. But this year, due to Covid-19 and classes happening virtually, I was unable to seek assistance from anyone else. But I didn’t want the virus to dampen my spirit. Besides, my husband also kept encouraging me. So, I undertook the massive project alone this year.”