Heritage comes alive in Abu Dhabi
RULERS JOIN 40,000 RESIDENTS IN FESTIVITY AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO UAE’S MARTYRS
The 44th National Day was celebrated with a stunning ceremony attended by the UAE’s leaders at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi yesterday. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers of the Emirates and other senior officials were present. King Mohammad VI of Morocco was a special guest at the ceremony.
The UAE officially marked its 44th National Day celebrations with a stunning ceremony attended by the UAE’s leaders at Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi yesterday evening.
The king of Morocco was a special guest at the ceremony.
The ceremony, which included a march-past by soldiers, was held under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the celebrations. Also present were Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah and Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain. Crown princes and deputy rulers of the emirates were also present.
Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, also attended.
The event, which was attended by around 40,000 people, celebrated the UAE’s heritage and traditions and paid tribute to martyrs. People burst into cheers as the country’s leaders entered the arena.
Celebrations began by performers recreating a traditional desert setting. It involved the building of a dhow, sitting around a fire, women engaged in traditional crafts and children playing around.
The national anthem was played as performers gathered in the centre of the stage and displayed the UAE flag.
Possibly the biggest stage that the UAE has ever seen was then lit up to unveil a ghaf tree located at the back. Performers in traditional attire then gathered at the bottom of the tree in a representation of the UAE and the coming together of the seven emirates.
A little girl dressed in red then appeared on stage, running around frantically as if escaping a sandstorm. State-ofthe-art pyrotechnics were used to create the effect. Groups came to her rescue and she was raised to the sky in triumph. The audience cheered as she rose assisted by wires and flew around the stage — a symbol of being Emirati and being united even through struggle.
A parade by 1,200 men and women representing the police, Armed Forces and National Service was well received by the audience, with many standing as a mark of respect. A poem written by martyr Captain Hadef Bin Humaid Bin Ramah Al Shamsi before he died in combat was recited.
A traditional song and dance featured 2,500 performers. A minute’s silence was observed to respect those who sacrificed their lives serving the nation.