Nation pays tribute to martyrs
LEADERS PAY TRIBUTE TO UAE’S BRAVE MARTYRS AND HONOUR THEIR FAMILIES AT SOMBRE CEREMONY AT WAHAT AL KARAMA
A minute of silence. A moment of remembrance. And the indomitable spirit of a nation that will mark its 47th National Day on Sunday. That was the mood that swept across the UAE yesterday, as leaders paid tribute to UAE’s brave martyrs and honoured their families at Wahat Al Karama to mark Commemoration Day. The UAE flag that was at half-mast until 11.31am, began flying high again — as the country geared up to celebrate UAE National Day, with a long weekend full of fireworks, concerts and cultural programmes
UAE leaders honoured the families of the country’s martyrs yesterday with medals during an event held at Wahat Al Karama to mark Commemoration Day.
Families of martyrs were honoured by 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, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi of Sharjah, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain and Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah.
Upon the arrival of the rulers, a 21-cannon salute was fired and the rulers placed a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama memorial.
The families were then honoured with medals in recognition of their sacrifices for the sake of the nation.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed tweeted: “The martyrs of our nation are generation that graduated from the school of Zayed. They grew up with love and loyalty for the nation, and held on to authentic Emirati values. They were the best the nation had to offer, and they proved their courage and resolve in the fields of battle. I proudly salute them all.”
“Our martyrs will remain in our memories forever, and their families will always remain in the heart of the nation and at the centre of its attention due to their patience and sacrifice. From them, we learn lessons of loyalty and dedication to our beloved nation,” he added.
In an address during the event, Mohammad Al Murr, prominent Emirati writer and former speaker of the Federal National Council, said: “This occasion is not merely a date in which we remember our martyrs, it is a day in which we express our gratitude and honour the courageous Emiratis who believed in their oath and sacrificed their lives to protect the nation from threats to its security. They heeded the call of duty and assumed their national responsibility in thwarting aggressors and standing for justice.”
Al Murr added: “On this redletter day, we pay rich tribute to the founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who laid solid foundations for authentic national values including faithfulness, support of justice, defending the homeland and extending a helping hand to others. Zayed’s values have resulted in the UAE’s people sacrificing their lives for the sake of their country.”