UAE celebrates Flag Day
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS ALL HOIST THE FLAG AT 11AM
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday led the nation in celebrating Flag Day by raising the UAE flag at Union House in Dubai. Greeting the 1,600 students participating in the event, Shaikh Mohammad said: ‘‘On this occasion, I call on our youth to protect and honour our flag and make sure we fly it high in all sectors.’’
Today we celebrate another key national occasion, just days after celebrating the launch of our first satellite fully built by Emiratis. On this day we remember the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to defend the sovereignty of the nation.” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid
A flag is not just a banner or symbol for a country ... The UAE flag will always bring us together under the umbrella of love, from which we derive sentiments of pride, determination, happiness, development and loyalty.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed
National pride was on display yesterday as the UAE flag was raised across the country at 11am. In a light breeze, the flag flew high at schools, government and private offices and public venues.
United by the occasion, citizens and expats gathered to show their love and respect for the UAE and its leadership.
The nationwide celebration, first launched in 2013 and normally celebrated on November 3, marks the accession of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President of the UAE in 2004.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, began the celebrations by raising the flag at Union House in the presence of 1,600 students and UAE officials.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, also attended.
“Today we celebrate another key national occasion, just days after celebrating the launch of our first satellite fully built by Emiratis,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said. “On this day we remember the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to defend the sovereignty of the nation. We also pay tribute to our brave soldiers in the battlefield who stand tall defending justice.”
Greeting students, he added: “On this occasion, I call on our youth to protect and honour our flag and make sure that we fly it high in all sectors.”
Al Fursan, the aerobatics team of the UAE Air Force, flew over Union House, painting the sky in green, white, black and red — the colours of the UAE flag. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and his delegation also visited the Etihad Museum.
In a series of tweets, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, stressed that Flag Day this year is special as the UAE celebrates the Year of Zayed.
He said: “As we celebrate UAE Flag Day throughout our homeland, we feel the symbolism of the flag, which is always associated with the UAE’s union, sovereignty, glory and pride. Yet, this year’s celebrations are quite different; it coincides with the Year of Zayed, who unified our country and people under one word and banner — the Union.”
He added: “A flag is not just a banner or symbol for a country, but a strong bond between the homeland and its citizens from which we derive the value of the homeland and the importance of defending it and sacrificing for its sake. The UAE flag will always bring us together under the umbrella of love, from which we derive sentiments of pride, determination, happiness, development and loyalty.”