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Impressive show of spirit of union at Abu Dhabi event

Abu Dhabi - The National Day event in Abu Dhabi was held as a salute to UAE President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Fishermen, pearl divers, oasis dwellers, saluki and falcon hunters, were all represented at the December 2 show held at the Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where the official national day celebration took place on Wednesday.

The event was held as a salute to the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco; and Their Highnesses, Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the emirates on 44th UAE National Day.

With free entry for all UAE nationals and residents, the venue was packed with people arriving as early as 2pm for the 6.30pm show.

The programme began with a trip down the memory lane, where men, women and children, repre-senting Emiratis from the bygone days gathered in the arena, which was lit with videos of Shaikh Zayed walking across desert and sea shores.

From the past to the future, the show continued with a dance and acrobatic performance of a young girl, symbolising the growth of the nation.The main part of the programme belonged to the Watania show which saw Emirati military school-girls march in and make formations in the arena, followed by UAE Army, police and special forces officers.

The long parade concluded by poetry and patriotic songs, fol-lowed by videos of the 44 years old nation, safe, well developed and advanced economically, socially and culturally.

The programme came to an end with traditional Emirati folklore performed by both children and professional groups, all accompanied by impressive laser lighting.

The show was also attended by Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood; wives of the Egyptian and Sudanese presidents.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com