Gulf News

50-day countdown to National Day launched

RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPAT­E IN ‘50 DAYS TO 50’ INITIATIVE

- BY KHITAM AL AMIR Chief News Editor

For the first time in the history of the UAE, National Day celebratio­ns has begun 50 days the country’s Golden Jubilee milestone on December 2.

The initiative titled 50 Days to 50 invites residents to participat­e in the celebratio­ns by following a series of activation­s, rituals and challenges on the official UAE National Day social media platforms @OfficialUA­END.

The official 50th National Day event will be held on December 2.

Their Highnesses Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, took to Twitter to announce the milestone.

‘United under one flag and one constituti­on’

“After 50 days, the UAE will complete 50 years of becoming a one country, with its emirates united, the hearts of its people united under one flag and one constituti­on, and its people are loyal to one President,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed also tweeted: “In 50 days, our beloved country will celebrate its 50th UAE National Day. We approach this historic milestone with pride in our country’s achievemen­ts, gratitude to all contributo­rs to the building of the nation, & shared optimism for the promising future that lies ahead of us.”

Students set world record

Meanwhile, students from 72 nationalit­ies came together at The Aquila School in Dubai to set a Guinness World Record for the ‘Most Nationalit­ies at a History Lesson’ as part if the 50-day countdown to the UAE’s 50th National Day.

The 72 students who attended the history lesson ranged from 6-17 years of age and were joined by peers from Nibras Internatio­nal School, as well as online by students from Aspen Heights British School and Reach British School.

Commenting on the 50 Days to 50 initiative, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Head of Creative Strategy of the Year of the 50th, said: ““With over 200 nationalit­ies living in the UAE, we invite everyone who calls the UAE home to celebrate by learning more about the traditions and rituals that make our nation.”

As part of the Year of the 50th celebratio­ns, the UAE’s Golden Jubilee Celebratio­ns Committee has invited all UAE residents to participat­e in nationwide celebratio­ns to mark a 50-day countdown to the 50th UAE National Day on Dec. 2, 2021.

For the first time in the history of the UAE, celebratio­ns of the National Day will begin 50 days before Dec. 2 to mark the country’s Golden Jubilee milestone. The initiative, titled 50 days to 50, invites all who call the UAE home to start celebratin­g the 50th National Day through a series of activities posted daily on the official UAE National Day social media platforms @OfficialUA­END.

Mark your participat­ion

These activities will include visiting attraction­s, discoverin­g hidden gems around the country, learning and singing the UAE’s national anthem, submitting photograph­s of different locations in the country that are meaningful to them, and participat­ing in the joyous celebratio­ns leading up to the National Day with their friends and family. The public is encouraged to participat­e and share their experience­s with others using the hashtag #50 celebratio­ns.

Commenting on the 50 Days to 50 initiative, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Head of Creative Strategy of the Year of the 50th, said: “We cannot but acknowledg­e and admire the UAE’s achievemen­ts for the past 50 years, culminatin­g towards an exceptiona­l year. With over 200 nationalit­ies living in the UAE, we invite everyone who calls the UAE home to celebrate by learning more about the traditions and rituals that make our nation, and participat­e in our daily activities in the lead up to the official National Day Ceremony,”

The Golden Jubilee Celebratio­ns

Committee also invites all government entities, private companies, schools and organisati­ons to join the nation in celebratin­g every day for the next 50 days.

Official celebratio­n

The Official 50th National Day Celebratio­n will take place on December 2. More informatio­n about the ceremony will be announced soon.

His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nayhan, the President of the UAE, declared the year 2021 as ‘The Year of the 50th’ to commemorat­e 50 years since the nation’s founding in 1971. Since April 2021, those who call the UAE home have been invited to celebrate their achievemen­ts, honour the ‘Early Dreamers’ in their families, and write ‘Letters to the Future’ about the progress they wish to see in the next 50 years to come.

 ?? #50 celebratio­ns. ?? ■ Residents are encouraged to participat­e and share their experience­s with others using the hashtag
#50 celebratio­ns. ■ Residents are encouraged to participat­e and share their experience­s with others using the hashtag

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