National history is made of certain events where everybody gathers around the flag to honor the nation and the State. Among these event is the UAE Martyr’s Day. Our wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, fixed the date of November 30 to celebrate this event. Martyr’s Day is yet another occasion where the famous phrase ‘Our Home is United’ (Al Bayt Mitwahid) becomes vivid, and hearts and minds meet to celebrate the sacrifices of the martyrs of the armed forces, who have sacrificed their lives to defend our homeland and national interests, as well as to answer the calls of our brothers, honoring long-time traditions of the Emirates.
Martyr’s Day is no ordinary event. The day is an occasion to offer lessons and instill loyalty in the hearts of young people and to remember the martyred victors, who gave everything, setting the best example for the present and future generations. Our soldiers chose to answer the right and the duty of defending the principles of legitimacy in a sister country that was existentially threatened posed by an aggressive group that sought to overthrow the legitimate authority. In the defense of the very principle of legitimacy upon which our country was founded by HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; our leadership answered the calls. With the determination their proud mothers had instilled in them, our troops translated principles into actions, heroically sacrificing everything they had.
The thirtieth of November is the homeland’s day, as martyrs are the soul of the nation and will remain in the heart of our wise leadership and our loyal people. They symbolize loyalty, belonging, courage and sacrifice, altruism and patriotism. Fearless of death, they offered their lives in the battlefields of honor for the nation to be proud, convinced that martyrdom for the homeland is their ultimate goal.
We will always look up to and be proud of our martyrs. Their sacrifices will forever enlighten our way towards the future, so will the lessons they taught us. These heroes showed that the Emirates is rich in men and heroes whose sacrifices and giving are intrinsic values in this good land.
On the occasion of the day of the martyred heroes, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, inaugurated a memorial in the city of Abu Dhabi, adding a new flavor of patriotism to this memorable day. Through this new monument, the leadership showed pride in the sacrifices of the Emirati soldiers, adding them to the collective memory of the nation. The inauguration confirms that sacrifices need to be iconized. States celebrate their martyrs as part of their national histories and eventful narratives; historical monuments are part thereof. These monuments invoke in the minds of everyone (citizens, residents, tourists, or visitors) glorious stories and triumphs that would otherwise remain trapped in documents and archives.
The Memorial of the Martyrs in Abu Dhabi represents the icon of triumphs and sacrifices of loyal compatriots that the Emirates will certainly not forget. They are as inseparable from us as the ‘bone of the neck’ from the rest of the body. For the national flag and for all the values of loyal sacrificing, the memorial is standing.
Martyr’s Day is also a day to honor the mothers, children and families of the martyrs, for which the UAE leadership and people can do anything. Our wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has always taken care of them, as is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the armed forces through the Crown Prince Court of His Highness, in which was established a special office to communicate with the families of the martyrs and to meet their needs. Moreover, His Highness seizes every occasion to meet with them and ensures that their children, mothers and families are being looked after, as he called them the inseparable ‘bone of the neck.’ Faithful in what he said, His Highness has a strong sense of sacrifices of our heroes. The people of the martyrs will always be the pride of the nation. History will know that the Emirati leadership puts its heroes and martyrs in the closest positions.
Congratulations to the UAE for this unique national spirit displayed on every occasion, tying the righteous leadership to the loyal nation.
