On November 3 of each year, the citizenry and leadership of the UAE celebrate the Flag Day. The people anticipate this annual festivity to compete for patriotic love, where the motif of national unity is present everywhere.
On November 3, at exactly 12 noon, all the state institutions raise the national flag at the same time. Known as Flag Hour, this particular time when flags rise marks the harmony of will and the determination to further progress, productivity and sustainable development.
Your day is today, my country! On this day, out of sincere support to their country, the masses of the Emirati people are voting ‘yes’ to the flag. It all started when His Highness late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan raised a flag representing the link between a people and their land. Then, it became familiar to these people to identify that flag with certain national values such as heritage, human and cultural identity. Now, the UAE flag is raised internationally, on many occasions all around the entire world.
The UAE flag has a long history. On December 2nd 1971, the flag of the state was raised for the first time by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at Dar Al Ittihad (Union House), at the ceremony of the declaration of the federation of the United Arab Emirates and in the presence of his fellow founders. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then Crown Prince and Prime Minister, hoisted the flag at Al Manhal Palace. On December 21, 1971, a decree was issued in the Federal Law 2 and published in the Official Gazette, providing for the shape and design of the flag. On November 2013, the Flag Day was first celebrated on the occasion of the election of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as president of the state. The celebration was a kind initiative by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
On that occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said ‘the UAE flag is not only a flag, but it is a mean of our love and readiness to sacrifice our souls for the dignity and pride of our country.’ He added that the Flag Day is a national occasion where we remember the efforts of our founders who sacrificed everything for the sake of our nation. Indeed, his statement stems from the conviction we all have about our beloved country.
In the eyes of every citizen, the national flag betokens pride. It is respected as a part of the respect due to our generous country and righteous leadership, and remembrance of the founding fathers and glorious martyrs whom we have lost in battlefields of honor. In the land of Arabian honor, the four colors stand for ‘Our Home is United’ (Al Bayt Mitwahid).
Raising flags across the whole country on Flag Day is unique to the UAE, as is the relationship between its people and its leadership. Let everyone celebrate today, the flag of the nation with a special identity, always in harmony.
