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Emirati to decorate home with 100,000 UAE flags

Umm Al Quwain - The UAE Flag Day falls on November 3.

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To mark the Flag Day this year, one Emirati is going all out - he is decorating his house with some 100,000 flags, breaking his personal record of 60,000 last year.
For Humaid Obaid Al Ali, who lives in Umm Al Quwain's Al Butain area, hoisting one big UAE flag in his house was never enough. He, along with his family and staff, passionately adorns every nook and cranny of their home with flags of every size. Last year, he had a total of 60,000 flags - some covering the walls, others hanging in garlands - all over his house.
"This year, I am planning to install more flags, actually up to 100,000 to show my respect, love and loyalty to my beloved country and prudent leaders," he told Khaleej Times. It always takes Al Ali a week to complete the work. "This, indeed, requires a lot of work, which needs all hands on deck - all my family members, my workers, and some staff from the company I bought the flags from."
He also shares the spirit of the occasion with others by distributing flags to everyone around him. Last year, he gave 30,000 flags away; this year, he's making it 50,000.

A national celebration

Al Ali is just one of many who are heeding the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who encouraged the UAE community to launch nationwide campaigns to celebrate the UAE Flag Day. It is usually celebrated on November 3, but this year, it will take place on November 1, according to Sheikh Mohammed's announcement.
Obaid Humaid, Al Ali's son, told Khaleej Times that aside from decorating their house, they also run heritage evenings for Emirati poets who would want to chant their love for the country and the leadership. "A large number of people turn up at these soirées-cum-conferences to mark the occasion of Commemoration Day and National Day," he said.
The Flag Day and the National Day on December 2 are big days in our history, Obaid said. "They remind us of the exceptional sacrifice of our martyrs and the mighty achievements of our leaders."
Mona Alraeesi, an Emirati national and editor-in-chief at Sharjah TV, said the special day reminds her of a "big responsibility".
"This beloved country has given us much with no limit, and this means a big responsibility on us all to give back and show loyalty to our leaders," she said.
Considering the prosperity and happiness that the UAE provides for its citizens and residents, Alraeesi said she and the community are "urged to maximise our efforts and devotion to the country so that the UAE flag remains up high".

The UAE flag day in a nutshell

>Flag Day falls on November 3, the day His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the President of the UAE. This year will mark the president's 14^th anniversary.
>The national occasion seeks to remind the UAE people of the efforts of the country's founders, led by Sheikh Zayed, 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.
>A number of lectures and competitions are usually organised about the history of the flag, its colours, and other 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 saw the unity of all the seven emirates. The four-coloured flag represents justice, peace, tolerance, power and moderation.
>It is used in all national events, religious, social and sports gatherings, among others, within or outside the country. It represents citizens and symbolises dignity, pride and achievements, safety, peace and happiness.

KT NANO EDIT

National symbol
A national flag is a symbol of pride, loyalty, and identification for people who call the country their home. It is an enduring symbol of the ideals a country represents. On November 1, when schools and offices around the emirates celebrate the National Flag day, it'll once again show how special the UAE is, not only for the Emiratis but also for the millions of expatriates who call this place their second home.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com