UAE | General
Country embraces spirit of unity
Emiratis and expatriates celebrated UAE National Day saying the country has provided an excellent home for them and has offered a quality lifestyle.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief and Fuad Ali, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:28 December 3, 2007
Al Ain/Fujairah: Emiratis and expatriates celebrated UAE National Day saying the country has provided an excellent home for them and has offered a quality lifestyle.
"With every passing year, the UAE is getting more prominence on the world map with its fast-paced development," said Masoud Ali Al Beloushi, an Emirati government employee.
"This year, we are celebrating two Eids [festivals]," he said, referring to National Day and the recent salary increase for government employees.
He said his family had planned various outdoor parties and activities for the holidays.
"This is also a thanksgiving day from us to the rulers who have been providing a peaceful and fulfilling life in the UAE," he said. He paid tribute to Shaikh Zayed for his vision of the country.
"People of the UAE have marked the National Day with pride and a sense of achievement," said Ahmad Abdullah Zuheir Al Ka'abi, an Emirati businessman.
"It is an important milestone in the community of nations of the world."
Badr Iftekhar, a Pakistani jeweller, said the UAE is a model country with a cosmopolitan environment.
"It has been teaching people of other countries how to live together in peace and tranquility," he said.
Naresh Kumar Suri, an Indian businessman, said the UAE is his second home.
"All expatriates are duty bound to pay their respect to the rulers and the country on this big occasion," he said.
Mukhtar Ahmad Quraishi, a Pakistani businessman, said he has spent 32 years in the country. "This country has given me what I have dreamt of," he said.
Sacrifices
He said National Day is also meant to remember the sacrifices and struggles of the older generations for creating an environment in which new generations can live a peaceful and successful life.
"I believe, all expatriate communities have been sharing the happiness of the day with their Emirati brethren," he said.
Quraishi said expatriate communities have also been organising events to mark the National Day.
A. K. Kabeer, an Indian employee of a private firm, said the celebrations also give them an opportunity to thank the country.
Dr Dya Zein Al Abideen, a 50-year-old Syrian dentist, says the national day is an occasion which all Arabs can learn from.
"I wish all Arab countries can learn from the experience of the emirates; there is strength in unity and the success and achievements of the UAE are the best example.
"The relationship between the rulers and the Emirati people is a special one; it has openness," he said.
Strong and successful
Abdullah Rasheed Hassan, 52, a Sudanese medical technician, believes the UAE example should encourage other countries to adopt a more cooperative attitude.
"People should ask why Europe is so strong and successful and why the UAE is such a success story and the obvious answer and it is because their strength is in their unity and they have embraced the spirit of cooperation."
Hazim Ahmad Tawfiq, a 30-year-old Egyptian cashier, said he supports the Emirati sense of belonging.
"It shows how much Emiratis love their country and are loyal to it. It reminds me of my own country and how we used to celebrate national occasions."
Dr Ebrahim Majdi, a 49-year-old Physician from Egypt, said: "The greatness of Shaikh Zayed is that he managed to not only unite all the emirates into one country, but he also succeeded in turning this new country into an influential and successful entity in the region."
Achievements
Emirati pharmacist, Dr Adnan Ali Al Matroushi, 28, says the national day to him is a reminder of all the achievements of the union.
He said: "The national day is a reminder to all of us Emiratis of how we became one big family."
He said the 36th National Day is one of the best he has experienced. "There seems to be more joy in the faces of people."
Fellow Emirati, Dr Abdullah Shehab, a 38-year-old assistant professor and consultant in cardiology, said the National Day is a reminder of great achievements.
"The idea of unity and cooperation is something which we grew up hearing about but is now a reality and a shining example to many in the region."
Dr Abdullah believes that everyone in the country, including expatriates, have a sense of belonging which drives them to give their best.
"Everybody is doing the best they can in their field and contributing to the overall achievements of the country," he said.
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