'Heroes gave lives to ensure UAE flag remains flying high'

On Monday November 30,  the UAE will observe the first Martyrs' Day, which the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has designated as the annual day of commemoration of martyrs, and a way to recognise and commemorate the sacrifices, benevolence and generosity of the martyrs and sons of this nation who gave their lives to ensure that the flag of the UAE remains flying high by fulfilling their duties toward their country at home and abroad in civil, military and humanitarian fields.

Sheikh Khalifa has also ordered that this national occasion be considered an official national holiday.

Special national ceremonies and events will be held on this day, in which all state institutions, and all the people and residents of the UAE will participate by recalling with pride the values of dedication, devotion, loyalty and allegiance that are rooted in the hearts of the Emirati people, and which they have exhibited as they sacrificed their lives in the names of heroism, benevolence and duty.

This decision, as well as the positive feedback from the citizens and residents of the UAE, signifies many important notions. Firstly, the pride that the prudent leadership holds in the sacrifices that the sons of this nation have made, emphasising  that the UAE will forever remember its loyal sons who have given their lives for their country, sowing, with their great sacrifices, noble values in the hearts and minds of the youth.

Secondly, this initiative also signifies the distinguished relationship between the leadership and the people of the UAE, as this decision undoubtedly reflects the prudent leadership's interaction with the families and relatives of the martyrs, noting that this is not the first time that the leadership takes such an initiative to honour the people who have made sacrifices, and achievements that have contributed to the success of the UAE in every field.

There are many inherited experiences, decisions and directives that demonstrate just how rooted this ideology has been in Emirati policy since the establishment of the union.

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may Allah rest his soul, laid a strong foundation for the relationship between the ruler and his people. Over the years, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this relationship has become an established approach toward governance, which explains the uniqueness of the relationship between the leadership and the people in the UAE. While the leadership values the sacrifices of the nation’s sons and their work in all fields, it is also evident from the citizens’ reactions to this decision that they are loyal to the prudent leadership and look up to it in recognition of its efforts to elevate the status of the country and ensure the future of the population and the generations to come.

Thirdly, this decision also reflects the rooted value of loyalty in the Emirati community, leadership and people alike, as the prudent leadership has always valued the sacrifices of the people and their contributions in various areas of national work, while the loyalty of the people toward each other is clearly manifested in the unprecedented state of sympathy and solidarity with the families and relatives of the martyrs, and so, the value of loyalty will remain one of the most important attributes of the Emirati community, depicting the state of communal solidarity and unity by which it is characterised.

Fourthly, Martyrs' Day, with its special national events in which all state institutions, and all the people of the UAE and its residents will participate, represents an important occasion to promote the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland. As the prudent leadership commemorates the sacrifices of its worthy sons, who gave their lives to keep the flag of the UAE flying high by fulfilling their national duties at home and abroad in all civil, military and humanitarian fields, placing them in the brightest of its history pages, the citizens remain prepared to meet the call to serve their homeland at any time, in gratitude for the development, stability and progress that their country has offered, and is offering to them and to future generations, which only reinforces the people’s sense of belonging to their homeland and its prudent leadership.

Martyrs' Day precedes an anniversary dear to us all, UAE National Day, which is observed on  December 2 every year, and is the memory symbolising all the values of unity, belonging, loyalty and gratitude to this country and its prudent leadership, and to the pioneers who have borne the burden of the foundation of the UAE, led by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who instilled the values of sacrifice in the people of the UAE. Today, the martyrs of this nation who have served in the name of righteousness and duty, are the harvest that we reap from this blessed sowing, and are sacrificing their lives for the nation, and so have competently deserved this annual celebration of their names, so that they would be role models and proof of the authenticity of this people.

While offering his condolences to the brave martyrs of the nation, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, expressed the pride that he and the prudent leadership hold for the courage and sacrifices of the members of our heroic Armed Forces from officers, non-commissioned officers and individuals who are performing well in fields of honour and manhood, in support of the oppressed, in defence of righteousness, and in order to entrench principles of peace, justice and equality among our fellow Yemeni people.

Sheikh Mohammed added, "We derive our faith in our nation and our confidence in our people from our faith in Allah Almighty and in justice, peace and peaceful coexistence among different peoples who we believe are equal in rights and duties, regardless of their religious, ethnic and cultural affiliations."

Sheikh Mohammed also commended the patience and willpower of the martyrs’ families who, with their patience and faith in Allah Almighty, have embodied the strength of social ties and national solidarity among our society on the one hand, and between the people and the leadership on the other, which further assures us of the safety of this national structure that our late fathers and grandfathers founded on balanced grounds, unyielding in the face of the challenges, and which have become an essential part of the general culture of our people and our state, in various fields and stances, especially those of a humanitarian, patriotic and nationalist nature. His Highness also mourned the souls of the heroic martyrs, whom he described as the beacons of light that dissipate the darkness on the journey to a hopeful future for our promising generations.

On his part, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said, while offering condolences to the martyrs of the homeland, "We will never forget the sacrifices of our martyrs for as long as we live, and we will hold our heads high for their heroic stances, and their determination, chivalry and bravery, which continue to be eternal lessons and morals in persistence and sacrifice that our generations will hold in pride over the years and times."

His Highness added that this solidarity and national unity that prevails in Emirati society is derived from the deep-rooted values and instincts left by our fathers and grandfathers, and by which the people of this nation were raised, and have been manifested in times of adversity and calamities that Emirati individuals have faced with determination, patience, defiance and toleration. He also emphasised that these national stances are the guarantee for a bright and luminous future for our state.

In representation of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s keenness to commemorate the righteous martyrs of the nation who have sacrificed their lives while fulfilling their national duty, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the establishment of a martyrs’ memorial monument in the city of Abu Dhabi, to ensure that the memory of the martyrs, their benevolence and their self-sacrifice, remain engraved in the history and the memory of the nation, and in the minds of the people of the UAE, and that present and future generations may be inspired by their benevolence and contributions to the glory, greatness and prosperity of our beloved country.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also assigned the Office for the Affairs of Martyrs’ Families in the Crown Prince’s Court of Abu Dhabi the task of supervising the organisation of the memorial and the necessary plans and programmes, in coordination with state institutions, to construct the national monument, as befits the pride of the UAE in the sacrifices and benevolence of its martyred sons.

Following instructions from His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Planning and Survey Department has named streets in the emirate’s cities and regions after the nation’s brave martyrs to preserve the memory of their heroism and sacrifice in protecting the honour of the homeland, and that of the Arab nation, by fulfilling their sacred duty within the Arab coalition forces in brotherly Yemen.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, also ordered that the naming of one of the main streets in the Manama area be changed to Al Shuhada Street, Martyrs Street, as a way to preserve the memory of the martyrs’ heroism.

Under the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and His HighnessSheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Shuhada Street is the new name given to the highway connecting the two emirates, thus preserving the memory of the martyrs who have risen to the heavens while fulfilling their national duty, as a tribute to the notions of courage, sacrifice and benevolence which they embodied.

The Office for the Affairs of Martyrs’ Families in the Crown Prince’s Court in Abu Dhabi has announced its adoption of an official logo to commemorate Martyrs Day on November 30, noting that the launch of the unified logo for the activities of Martyrs' Day is part of the plan for events and activities that embody the Emirati community’s participation in the martyrs’ anniversary to commemorate their sacrifices.

The office said that an agreement with the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments has been made, whereby mosques located in areas close to the families of the martyrs will be renamed after those who sacrificed their lives.

Dr. Mohammed Mattar Al Kaabi, Chairman of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, said that this initiative is an embodiment of the great significance of martyrdom in the true religion of Islam, and comes to honour the sacrifices of the martyrs by having mosques named after them, noting that the authority has already begun to rename the first group of mosques.

Emirates Post has announced its intention to issue a memorial Martyrs' Day stamp in honour of the nation’s martyrs, resulting from an initiative by the staff of the Emirates Post Group to commemorate the martyrs’ memory and to record their achievements, saying that the stamp will be issued in all post offices with effect from  November 30.

In August, under the auspices of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood,
the GWU organised the first Emirati Women's Day celebration at its main headquarters, under the slogan, ‘Military Women, Achievements and Gains.’

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak said in a speech given on her behalf by Reem Al Falasi, Secretary- General of the Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council, "We are announcing that on August 28, 2015, we will hold the first Emirati Women's Day celebration, as a historic day celebrating the mothers of the martyrs who have generously offered the lives of their sons to their homeland, and celebrating the Emirati military women dedicated to the service of their country, who abandoned comfort and luxury for the good of their homeland and to offer their lives as sacrifice for the nation. These women help push the nation forward and place it among the greatest of nations, and are a badge of honour we pride ourselves with and to whom we offer our salutes, appreciation and praise."

She added, "We are heartened and relieved to see this acclaimed unity between the leadership and the people, where the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered that November 30 of every year be the annual Martyr’s Day to preserve the memory and recognise the loyalty, sacrifices, benevolence and generosity of the martyrs of this nation, and its sons, who gave their lives to ensure that the UAE flag remains flying high with glory. So let us all rejoice in this decision, and thus forever remember the martyrs who will remain a badge of honour in which we find pride."

The Emirati people, through their unity and their loyalty to their prudent leadership, and their solidarity with the families of the heroic martyrs of the Armed Forces, provide the finest examples of patriotism and the willingness to sacrifice everything for one’s country, thus upholding the noble values that our grandfathers instilled which are the pillars that reinforce the overall stability experienced by the state.

There is no doubt that the prudent leadership's keenness on being the first to offer their condolences for the righteous martyrs of our Armed Forces, and to provide help and support to their families, consolidates the special relationship between the leadership and the people. This relationship, dating back to the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, has instilled the values of belonging and sacrifice in the hearts of the people. Today, our prudent leaders and valued elders in all the Emirates of the state are encouraging this approach and asserting that the house is united and that the spirit of brotherhood and love that unites the Emiratis, whether at the level of the leadership or people, is an authentic characteristic of the UAE since its foundation in 1971, and is being expressed constantly and confirmed by daily events.

Local, Arab and foreign media focused on the martyrs of the nation, asserting that the proud people of the UAE have proven, while they stood behind the banner of the leadership in defence of noble values and national security, that they are as united as can be.

The media highlighted the evident unity amongst the people that carries with it notions of loyalty and true patriotism, and asserted that this is a battle for the instilment of righteousness in Yemen and to defeat falsehood; a battle to defend the rights of a people, a history and a common destiny against an outlawed and rogue group of mercenaries made up of shameful people that spread corruption.

The keenness of the UAE to ensure Arab security and to fortify Arab countries against any attempts aimed at destabilising security and stability was also highlighted in the media, as well as the UAE’s willingness to continue to support its brothers in order for present and future generations to live in security, peace and prosperity.

The media noted that those who visited the families of the martyrs to offer condolences felt a sense of pride, honour and glory, thus making the event a national gathering that reflects the persistence, loyalty and belonging of the people. This goes to show the pride of the Emirati citizens and soldiers. The people who met the martyrs' families and offered condolences to their parents in the mourning tents that were spread across the nation, saw these tents as places of pride, honour and good spirits, rather than tents of mourning; where martyrs’ parents could be sure that our history and our generations to come shall remember the sacrifices that our heroes have offered with their blood for the good of the region and to ensure that we live in security, safety and stability.

Patriotism was also evident throughout people’s visits to offer condolences to the families of the martyrs, where the Emirati family seemed like one, with no difference between the ruling and the ruled, the young and the old; they were all united by one heart, standing beside honourable families that sacrificed their children for the honour of their nation, parents who are proud of their sons and whose morale is high and status is honourable, spreading pride and strength among the crowds.

On November 7, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the celebratory welcome home reception of the first group of our Armed Forces, who had been participating in the Arab coalition in Yemen, having been replaced by the second installment.

The first group of our Armed Forces played a major role in the liberation of Ma’rib from the grip of the Houthi militia and forces loyal to the deposed president Ali Saleh, and in the liberation of the historic Ma’rib Dam, which had been rebuilt by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, seen as a strategic victory, as Ma’rib is an important icon in the history of Yemen and Arab history, being the cradle of the first born Arabs and from where they set off across the Arabian Peninsula.

The first group received a rapturous and popular welcome home from the state's leadership, citizens and residents, who waved banners of victory and Emirati flags, praising the achievements of our valiant Armed Forces and our righteous martyrs.






 

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