Abu Dhabi: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, raised the UAE flag on Monday in Zayed Military City in Abu Dhabi on the occasion of Flag Day.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, were present.
The day was a historic moment in the UAE as Emiratis and leaders raised the flag at 12 noon in various parts of the country, led by Shaikh Mohammad, who raised the flag in Zayed Military City in the presence of troops from the UAE’s land, air and naval forces.
In a statement to those in attendance, Shaikh Mohammad said that the flag was raised before by the late Shaikh Zayed, late Shaikh Rashid and their fellow leaders, who gave their all for the flag, and after them came thousands of citizens who vowed to serve and protect it.
“Today, you continue a march that was started by Shaikh Zayed, and now led by Shaikh Khalifa, with the participation of work teams all across the UAE. It is a march that founded a country and planted its flag. We renew our vow to serve our citizens, sacrifice everything for the UAE and its flag which we shall diligently serve, and consolidate its status,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
Shaikh Mohammad then viewed a military parade by selected units from land, air and naval forces. Shaikh Mohammad then listened to a presentation by Staff Major General Pilot Shaikh Ahmad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of National and Reserve Service Authority, on the authority’s recent achievements, current number of youths who have joined the national service, and future batches.
Shaikh Mohammad praised the youth for heeding the call of the nation and joining national service. “Protecting the UAE and its sovereignty is a sacred national duty. Our citizens are the protectors of the country and they bear the responsibility for defending the land. Every citizen, whether they are working, studying, or in a military camp, is a UAE soldier. It is the country that unites us and gives us the drive for a better tomorrow and greater achievements,” said Shaikh Mohammad.
“We specified a time in which the flag will be raised all across the UAE to tell everyone that we are not the emirates, we are the UAE, a united nation. Let us instil in our generations that the flag is a symbol for respecting our nation. Since the union, our sentiments towards the flag have not changed; rather they have grown stronger with the passing of time. We are very proud to see such strong sentiments displayed by our citizens, giving them the motivation to exert more efforts in all fields,” added Shaikh Mohammad.
Thousands of people in government departments, institutions, schools and homes marked UAE Flag Day in response to the national campaign launched by Shaikh Mohammad on the occasion.
Speaking to the first batch of citizens who joined national service and participated in the Zayed Military City UAE Flag Day event, Shaikh Mohammad said: “We are very proud of you and your response to join the national service so you can be role models for future generations who will join the service. National service is an honour, a sacrifice, and loyalty to our beloved nation. You are the soldiers of the future. You have to be up to the national responsibility and preserve the national spirit and enthusiasm in order to diligently carry out your duties.”
Addressing female recruits, Shaikh Mohammad said that they are a source of pride for the UAE leadership, their parents and every citizen. Shaikh Mohammad was briefed by Shaikh Ahmad on the goals and objectives of the authority in contributing to the nation’s stability and enhancing loyalty to the nation.
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, also participated in UAE Flag Day activities in their respective emirates.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, raised the UAE flag at the Dubai Police Headquarters, on an 18-metre-high flagpole built for this occasion.
