UAE celebrates Flag Day in grand style

ABU DHABI / DUBAI — A new page was added to the nation’s history as people from all over the UAE came together to celebrate Flag Day, an initiative to hoist the national flag simultaneously across the country. Emiratis and expatriates alike showed their love for the UAE as the flag was hoisted in unison across the seven emirates.

The initiative coincides with the day His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the President of the UAE.

Hoisting the flag at the Union House, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said: “We have experienced today a historic moment wherein thousands have raised the UAE flag at the same time across our nation. At the Union House, where our founding fathers first raised this flag, we pray: long live our flag.”

Courtesy: Youtube.com/Sheikhmohammed.ae

Shaikh Mohammed, who was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, said: “We renew our allegiance and promise to the people of the UAE to serve them and their dignity, to sacrifice our souls for the UAE soil and be loyal to the flag and keep it flying aloft.”

Shaikh Mohammed led the nation’s celebrations at the Union House, where the flag was first hoisted 42 years ago. He, along with students, watered the Union Tree, which he had planted a year ago.

Similar flag-hoisting ceremonies were hosted across all federal and local government entities in the UAE, along with events in schools, universities and private establishments.

Expressing happiness with the success of the Flag Day campaign, Shaikh Mohammed said: “We have united the flag-hoisting event to say to all that we are not emirates, we are the State of the United Arab Emirates, and to instil in our generations the value of the flag as a symbol of respect to our State.”

In Abu Dhabi, celebrations were led by Lt-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, hoisted the flag at the Amiri Court.

In Al Ain, the flag was hoisted by Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region at his court. Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the flag at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, raised it at the ministry’s headquarters.

“This generous initiative of His Highness confirms people’s embracement, commitment and loyalty towards their leader. Raising the flag expresses the particularity of our nation, its identity, its components and the development of its achievements and its development indicators,” said Shaikha Lubna.

Federal ministries also participated in the initiative. Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s Director-General, said Flag Day offers Emiratis and residents the opportunity to show their loyalty to the country’s leaders.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, chairman of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, said: “For the past 42 years, Dubai has continued to grow and develop, reflecting the tremendous successes of the UAE as a whole. Flag Day offers us the opportunity to appreciate these triumphs, encouraging younger generations to retain their heritage and respect everything their country has to offer.”

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