Unfurling the UAE flag with pride

Photo by Shihab

The 12th UAE Flag Day coincides with important moments the country has been witnessing.
From revealing the unprecedented new reading law to the official opening of Dubai Parks and Resorts and building the world's highest towers, the latest announcements only mark the beginning of higher ambitions and achievements of the UAE.
The flag, being a symbol of national pride, loyalty and belonging will be hoisted across all government buildings, departments and schools across UAE through the annual event that takes place at the same time of the day.
"It should be one time, with one heart beating with love for the soil of the homeland," His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said in a tweet.
Flag Day falls on November 3, the day of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's accession as President of the UAE. This year will mark the president's 12th anniversary.
The national occasion is meant to remind UAE people of the efforts of the country's founders, Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid, and those who sacrificed everything for the nation.
On this day, Emiratis across the UAE sing the country's National Anthem and hoist the flag atop their buildings and at their backyards. They organise a number of lectures and competitions about the history of the flag, its colours, and elements of national identity.
The UAE flag has a deeper meaning for Emiratis since the Pan-Arab coloured banner was adopted on December 2, 1971, the day that united all the seven emirates.
The four-coloured flag represents meanings of justice, peace, tolerance, power and moderation.
As Emiratis move forward
For the first Emirati video game founder Fakhra Al Mansouri, flag day means inclusivity. "It's about celebrating the multicultural life we experience here in the UAE. Everyone comes together happily, whatever their background is, to celebrate our collective achievements in making this country better and a happier place to live."
Through her game studio Hybrid Humans, Al Mansouri said she hopes through her games, which were recently elected and nominated in international game festivals, to add to the Emirati achievements in a new field to the region.
Fashion designer and owner of travel wear brand Twisted Roots, Latifa Al Gurg, said the UAE flag day is both a day of reflection and resolution.
"It's a day to reflect upon what has been accomplished under the symbol of our nation and a day to resolve what we see our future to be and how we aim to achieve it." Al Gurg added that accomplishments of the UAE leadership inspires residents to keep moving forward.
"Through the many accomplishments of our leaders, the UAE flag has come to represent vision, peace, tolerance and prosperity."
Meanwhile, film director and producer Nayla Al Khaja called the flag "the DNA of the country." With the UAE being a go-to destination for Hollywood movies and witnessing the development of local film industry, Al Khaja said there is still a long way to go.
"Our leadership taught us ambition, success and loyalty, and that's the message we should be applying throughout our careers."
Echoing similar sentiments was Mira Al Qasimi, another Emirati said, "This is the day to remember all that we have achieved as a nation and celebrate the progress of the spirit of the union," she said.
Ahmed bin Al Shaikh, an executive at Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, highlighted that the pan-Arab coloured flag does not only represent the UAE union, but also reminds people that the country has always been a nation open for peace.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
Celebrating the country's glory
As this year's 'Raise it High' flag day campaign aims to bring all sections of society under one banner, UAE expats equally consider the flag as their source of pride.
The country has been known for opening its doors to foreigners. In 2011, National Bureau of Statistics revealed that Expatriates stood at nearly 7.316 million, accounting for around 88.5 per cent of the country's total population.
For Mina Liccione, New Yorker, who's been residing in the UAE for nine years, the flag represents five things: Hope (For a positive future), Tolerance (Understanding and accepting our differences), Peace (Living peacefully with over 180 nationalities. Peace in diversity), Unity (seven Emirates. One love.) and pride (Proud of the great country and its leader).
Salma Alalem, Palestinian born and raised in the UAE, said she never felt like an outsider to the country. She noted that every flag day, she hangs a banner in her case as seeing UAE flag raised up high everywhere brings a feeling of safety. The national anthem, especially, makes her feel home.
Echoing similar thoughts was Shounaz Mekky, born and raised in UAE, who said the national anthem triggers sense of belonging to the UAE. "It never felt foreign to sing the country's national anthem during school's morning assembly. I have always felt grateful to the country that offered me, and my family, everything we need."
Those far away from the country expressed their keenness to come back. So did Mina Abrahim, a student who has travelled abroad to continue his postgraduate education.
"I know I moved away, but I'll be back soon. I truly love this country!" Abrahim started off.
"I've never truly felt patriotism until I came to the UAE. I may not hold its passport but I would gladly fight for it everyday of my life. Once you've lived in the UAE you can never truly call anywhere else home."
Els Huybrechts, Belgian expat, noted that after being in the country for nine years, the UAE is now her second home. "The country gives everyone opportunities and grows faster than lightning. It is a country that keeps us amazed by its tolerance, leadership examples, humanitarian aid, great infrastructure, multi culture climate, safety and beauty."
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

Sherouk Zakaria

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com