Celebrations focus on heritage
EVENTS INCLUDE TRADITIONAL DANCES, SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM AND EMIRATI CUISINE
Government departments, corporate houses, Emiratis and expatriate yesterday joined in celebrations ahead of 44th National Day. Most celebrations focused on Emirati heritage, with folk performances and traditional food featured at many of the events. People sang the national anthem and waved UAE flags, and took group photos and selfies.
Emirates Group
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, attended a cake-cutting ceremony at the group’s headquarters, which was followed by local Emirati dance performances.
A purpose-built heritage house draped in the colours of the UAE flag was unveiled at the group headquarters’ atrium.
At Emirates Flight Catering, staff sampled traditional Emirati dishes.
Emirates SkyCargo and Emirates Engineering celebrated, with staff raising the UAE flag beside an Emirates B747400F and a newly delivered A380.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is projecting the UAE flag colours on to the mall’s waterfall, allowing visitors to take souvenir shots.
Complimentary face painting and nail art are available in stores. Balloons in UAE flag colours will also be distributed. Dubai Mall also held a Kids Parade where Emirati children dressed in UAE flag colours marched through the ground floor singing the national anthem.
The parade will also be held today from 4 to 10pm. Also today, the Dubai Police Band will perform outside the entrance to the waterfront promenade.
Hamdan Bin Mohammad Smart University
The day-long event began with a minute’s silence for martyrs, followed by the raising of the UAE flag and the singing of the national anthem. Faculty members, administrators and learners reaffirmed their commitment to excellence.
Sharjah Islamic Bank
Sharjah Islamic Bank hosted a celebration at its headquarters in the presence of the CEO, directors of departments and sections, and a number of employees from various branches of the bank.
Ahmad Sa’ad, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, hoisted the UAE flag as the national anthem played. Sharjah Equestrian Club and Rover Scout Students at the University of Sharjah also took part in the flag-raising ceremony.
University Hospital Sharjah
University Hospital Sharjah organised an event to jointly mark Commemoration Day and National Day.
The celebration began with the UAE national anthem performed by the Sharjah Police scout team and included heritage activities, traditional UAE food and drink, and the option to take group pictures.