From little children draped in national colours to horse and camel parades, the show of unity was one to remember.

In a nod to the true international mix of the country, a band of bagpipers -more commonly associated with Scotland- played traditional Emirati music, to lead the National Day parade in Downtown Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper which was eventually illuminated in the four colours of the flag, provided a picturesque backdrop for the patriotic pride as thousands of people dotted Emaar Boulevard to catch a glimpse of the parade.]

Kids enjoy the colourful celebrations in Downtown Dubai. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar

Stilt-walkers, musicians, dancers, cartoon characters, mascots and special floats set the mood for a carnival party as the celebrations brought together people from different cultures and ethnicity.

Karl, a 9-year old student from The Philippine School in Dubai, was part of a special musical act performed by 124 students. “I am very happy to be here with my friends as part of the celebrations,” said the fourth-grader.

Troupes from Mexico, Spain and the Philippines turned out, alongside humanitarian organisations and volunteer groups walking with UAE flags.

“It is a wonderful feeling to be here. The UAE is a marriage of different world cultures and people from diverse ethnicity come together to celebrate this day,” said British national Sophie Tannous, who was at the parade with twin sons Ethan and Sebastian.

For Australian expat Aimee Tubnor, who wore an Abaya adorned with a UAE flag, this year’s National Day will always be one to remember.

“It is my first year in the country and I haven’t seen such a national day anywhere. Each and every part of the city is decorated with lights and everyone wants to show their love towards the country. It is a special feeling,” she said.

Heba Sayed and Khaled Shalaby moved to Dubai from Egypt six months back. Like several other expats, they said they had also found a place in the multi-cultural fabric of UAE’s society.

Elsewhere in Dubai, the Pakistani community celebrated National Day with a Solidarity Walk from Pak Academy Mosque in Oud Metha to the Pakistan Association Dubai, attended by about 6,000 people from different sections of the community, including Indian, Sudanese, Filipinos and a few Western expatriates. The General Secretary of the Pakistan Association Dubai, Dr Faisal Ikram, said Pakistan Consul-General Tariq Iqbal Somro led the walk. “The whole point of the event was to bring people together.”

Alongside the walk, was a community bazaar, with 45 different entertainment and traditional wares stalls, selling books, textiles, toys and jewellery, with children’s puppet and magic shows organised, as well as a health awareness programme.

And the Bollywood stars came out at Dubai Festival City, with a delayed appearance by the Dabangg superstar Salman Khan not enough to dent the spirits of the thousands of fans who came to witness his return to the live stage after a seven-year hiatus, on Sunday evening.

The Ahlan Bollywood National Day concert saw the veteran performer whip up the crowd’s patriotic fervour with signature moves to music from some of his greatest hits, including 2011’s ‘Bodyguard’ and this year’s smash ‘Ek Tha Tiger’.

Accompanied by Priyanka Chopra, Sophie Chowdhary, Zarine Khan and Qawwali singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, alongside the comedy stylings of Umer Sharif, the spectacle kept the audience amused with its barrage of acts and their high-octane sets.

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