Thousands of Emiratis, expats at stadium
One of the most spectacular shows depicted the struggle of engineers discovering oil
Thousands of people witnessed the official 47th National Day celebrations at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday evening where a visual entertainment programme honouring the life and achievements of the UAE’s founding father was held.
This year’s National Day celebrations coincided with Shaikh Zayed’s birth centenary.
Emirati and expatriate families began flocking the stadium at around 3pm.
Children waving flags were dressed in national colours while many men sported mufflers, also in national colours.
More than 22,000 people gathered at the stadium — the venue for this year’s official celebration.
Speaking to Gulf News at the stadium, Emirati Saif Al Shehhi, who came from Ras Al Khaimah along with his family and children, said, “The life we are living here today is the result of the efforts of Baba Zayed. Now our children live a peaceful life with great education and health care all because of him.”
“Now it’s our duty to preserve it and serve the nation,” he added.
‘Shaikh Zayed’s vision’
Another Emirati from Abu Dhabi, Abdul Rahman, said, “It was the vision of Shaikh Zayed that united all seven Emirates and put the country on the path to success and prosperity.”
The 47th National Day was celebrated in spectacular fashion, with stunning visual displays, live musical shows, and over 1,000 performers entertaining the crowd. Ceremonies started with Zuma Al Qubaisi’s poetic appreciation of the achievements of Shaikh Zayed and the rulers of the UAE.
One of the most spectacular shows was that which depicted the struggle of a bunch of engineers with limited tools excavating and discovering oil, which eventually led to the unification of the UAE. The entire stadium burst with crackers, light streams and applause.
Struggles of the past in the barren deserts were highlights of the celebrations.
The celebrations also paid tribute to the foundation of the union at Saih As Sidirah, when Shaikh Zayed forged a new path for the future of the seven emirates of the UAE with Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then Dubai Ruler.
‘One of the best countries’
British national David King, 52, who came to watch the event with his family, said, “The UAE is all it is [today] because of Shaikh Zayed’s vision, who transformed it into a world class country.
“I have been living here for 21 years, but I don’t want to go back. It’s one of the best countries to live in peacefully. Truly I find it the best place to live, that’s why my children are here and living and practising our religion,” said King, who came with his son in a stroller and his wife.
“When I came 21 years ago to Dubai there was no development like you see today, but the vision of the man, Shaikh Zayed, it changed the whole country,” he said.