UAE musicians give stirring performance in Islamabad
UAE Embassy organises musical programme to celebrate country’s 47th National Day
Rhythmic music, Arabic chants and fascinating performances by the visiting Al Maqabeel military band of the United Arab Emirates charmed Pakistani spectators in Islamabad yesterday. The musical show was part of the events organised by the embassy of the UAE on the occasion of the 47th UAE National Day.
To give Pakistanis an authentic Emirati cultural experience, the visiting band performed traditional UAE dances.
One of the most appreciated performances featured a dozen men in Emirati dress swaying their heads and sticks in their hands to the rhythmic music. Two of them repetitively moved back and forth while continually twirling fake firearms.
Ambassador joins dance
When UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ebrahim Al Za’abi arrived at the ceremony, he gladly joined the performers.
Talking to Gulf News after the ceremony, Ambassador Al Za’abi said, “Pakistan is like our second home, which is why we are celebrating the UAE’s 47th National Day with our brothers in Pakistan.”
Speaking about the growing relations between the people of the two countries, he said, “The UAE and Pakistan have a strong and traditional relationship. We are really proud of this relationship, which is becoming stronger than ever before. We are working hard to make it more strong and sustained for the future.”
The UAE’s 47th National Day coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of the founding father of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“Shaikh Zayed’s immense love and affinity for Pakistanis laid the foundation of stronger Pakistan-UAE ties,” a legacy continued by the current leadership of the UAE which is eager to promote cultural and trade relations with Pakistan, the ambassador added.
One of the highlights of the cultural event was the performance by students from the Shaikh Zayed International Academy Islamabad (SZIA). Dressed in the four colours of the UAE flag, as the young girls danced to the beat of traditional Emirati music.
Malaak Rehman, a student of grade 8 at SZIA, who can speak Arabic fluently, said, “I love the Emirati dance and music so much that I participate in Emirati cultural events every year.”
The schoolteachers were as thrilled as the children to attend the ceremony.
“This is a very joyous occasion for us and our school is honoured to be part of the event alongside the military band from UAE,” the principal of SZIA, Wafaa Abdul Ghaffar, told Gulf News.
“Celebrating the UAE National Day with Pakistanis at a public place demonstrates that we feel safe and happy in our brotherly country.”