Meet the ‘keeper’ of the UAE flag
To be an Emirati is to dream for the UAE. From a barren desert, the Emirates soared: Skyscrapers rose, world records were smashed, space dreams blasted off — the impossible became possible. And the secret? The vision, the grit and the heart of an Emirati. With this weekly #IAmEmirati series, we celebrate the pioneers, the thought leaders, and the brilliant people who carry the nation’s legacy into the future. Here, you’ll meet the dreamers and achievers of the UAE
Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah has been known in UAE history as the Emirati who designed the national flag. But what some did not know was that after his historic achievement, Al Maainah went on to serve the country’s diplomatic corps for 49 years. And with every conference and meeting he attended, checking the flag had become part of his routine. Was it in perfect condition? Was it raised properly? Was it in a proper position? In his own way, he became the keeper of the UAE flag.
There was one instance, during his work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when he had to request a break from a media interview to fix the flag.
“I remember, in one media interview on a foreign TV channel — on the occasion of the anniversary of the UAE federation — I noticed that the flag of my country was not in the correct position. So, I had to cut off the TV interview and asked them to instal it in the appropriate way,” Al Maainah told Khaleej Times.
Five decades of serving the diplomatic corps was an honour, he said, “but, still, nothing could ever be more precious than the moment I learnt it was my design that had been chosen to represent the UAE”.
Remembering 1971
Al Maainah could remember 1971 as if it was yesterday. He came across newspaper advertisement, calling on all to join a nationwide flag design competition. Armed with simple tools and his talent for drawing, he got to work right away as there were only two days left before the deadline.
“I worked continuously for several hours, I did not sleep until dawn. When I finished, I put six designs in a special album. Then, the next morning, I immediately went to a post office and requested the staff to send the album to the address indicated in the ad,” Al Maainah said. “That was it, one of my six models won, becoming the sovereign flag of the Emirates until today.”
The UAE flag was first hoisted on December 2, 1971, when the union of the seven emirates was officially formed.
“When I saw the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on TV, raising the flag I designed, I was overjoyed. I started running on my feet for half an hour towards the palace in Abu Dhabi. When I arrived, I stood next to the palace wall, and proudly watched the flag flutter.”
Al Maainah used to design precious jewels. “But the flag will always be the greatest jewel I have ever designed.”
Nothing could ever be more precious than the moment I learnt it was my flag design that had been chosen to represent the UAE.” Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah