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29 March 2024

UAE marks third Flag Day

Photo credit: Patrick Castillo

Published
By Wam

Schools and workplaces across the country gathered on Thursday to raise the country’s flag to celebrate the third Flag Day and 12 years since the accession of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, invited all community, schools and government entities to raise the UAE Flag at the same time on Thursday at 11:00 noon to reaffirm allegiance to the UAE flag, which is a symbol of the country's unity and greatness and represents our aspirations for a better future for the people of the UAE.

In Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), attended the flag-hoisting ceremony at Zayed II School.

''On this bright historic day, hearts of all Emiratis across the country gather under the national flag, the symbol of our unity, progress and prosperity and their eyes look at the President whose prudent policy and farsighted vision make the flag flutter higher and higher, national unity stronger and people more united,'' Sheikh Hazza said while addressing the event which was attended by top ADEC officials.

''The UAE flag will always remain flying high under the leadership of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. We stand ready to sacrifice our lives for the sake of keeping the UAE flag flutter at lofty height,'' Sheikh Hazza added.

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, hoisted the UAE flag in the yard of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi at 12:00 pm. Later, the UAE national Anthem was played.

Sheikh Hamed expressed his pride at the development accomplished by the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the prestigious stature that supported pillars of the union and enabled the country to continue the march of progress and welfare.

"This day is a precious occasion for us which coincides with the accession of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa to presidency, and reflects the continuous march of development established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who laid the foundation stone of the strong union," he said.

Sheikh Hamed added that hoisting the flag has a profound symbol in the hearts of UAE citizens and translates love, loyalty, and belonging to the homeland and the wise leadership that instilled dedication to work and excellence values inside our spirits, which enabled the country to occupy high and prestigious stature among the world's countries.

In Dubai, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Office of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai, hoisted on Thursday the UAE Flag at the Ruler's Court in the presence of a number of officials and employees to celebrate the Flag Day.

The audience expressed their joy on this occasion praying to Allah Almighty to bless the UAE and its leadership.

Al Shaibani said in a statement on the occasion "the UAE people are proud about their flag, which is the symbol of national unity and the drive to continue the efforts to achieve a better future for the people of this beloved country."

He congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Members of Supreme Council, Their Highnesses, Rulers of Emirates, on the occasion.

"The celebration of Flag Day is the consolidation of national unity values and rallying of all segments of society to uphold the value of Union reflected in the flag of the federal state, which is a symbol of the identity," Al Shaibani said.