UAE leaders pay homage to martyrs at Wahat Al Karama

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and Their Highnesses Rulers the members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates attended the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Their Highnesses Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah attended the ceremony.
On the arrival of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the Rulers of the Emirates at Wahat Al Karama, the official Commemoration Day ceremony began. The leaders headed towards the Martyr's Monument as the army band played. This was followed by a 21-gun salute.
The leaders placed wreaths in front of the monument in loyalty and gratitude to the sacrifices of the UAE's martyrs. Afterwards, the UAE's national anthem was played.
At the event's conclusion, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the Rulers of the Emirates honoured the parents of several martyrs and handed them the "Martyr's Medal," to appreciate their sacrifice for the nation.
Mohammed Al Murr, former speaker of the Federal National Council, said in his opening speech: With pride and honour, we celebrate the memory of our righteous martyrs, whose names and sacrifices will remain in the nation's history and memory and are brightly illuminated in the minds of its children. This national occasion is not just a day to remember the feats of our martyrs but an appreciation and honouring of those brave men, our citizens, who were true to their pledge and gave their souls to defend our nation against those threatening its security and safety. They answered their call of duty and national responsibility to deter aggressor and return righteousness to its people. We salute, with gratitude, our righteous martyrs, whose souls embraced glory and wrote the most marvellous epics of honour, sacrifice and dignity."
"Celebrating our martyrs this year coincides with the Year of Zayed, which requires us to recall the meanings of heroism, giving, patriotism and belonging. The late Sheikh Zayed left us a rich heritage of values and principles, which we, the Emirati people, are proud of, including being prepared to sacrifice what's most precious for our beloved nation," he further added.
Several UAE Air Force aircraft flew over Wahat Al Karama and formed the "lost soldier panel," to appreciate the sacrifice and heroism of the country's martyrs.
The ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Dr Amal Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the Federal National Council; Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region; Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Lt-Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; other Sheikhs, ministers, members of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, senior Armed Forces personnel, police officers and other officials.