Al Ain: The UAE Cabinet yesterday issued a statement in memory of the martyrs, expressing the country’s pride in the sacrifices of Emirati heroes who were martyred in defending righteousness and legitimacy and sacrificed their lives in serving their nation.
The statement was issued by the Cabinet during an extraordinary meeting chaired by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at Qasr Al Muwaiji in Al Ain.
Shaikh Mohammad and the ministers recited Surat Al Fatiha for the souls of the martyrs, in the presence of Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
“Commemoration Day is the beginning of a new era in the UAE, an era which is full of sacrifice by every precious thing for the sake of the homeland, its future, as well as to enhance solidarity with the leadership in order to preserve its security, stability and interests,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“Today, we prove that for martyrs, we are loyal to their sacrifices and we are like fathers to their sons. We pledge that we will continue their march and appreciate their sacrifices forever,” he added.
On Commemoration Day, Shaikh Mohammad said: “The UAE, with its people, mark the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for the sake of the country, and their sacrifices will go down in history.”
The Cabinet discussed a number of topics, projects and national initiatives on its agenda.
Shaikh Mohammad highlighted the importance of holding the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Muwaiji, the historical palace, which was a testament to various crucial events in the history of the UAE and a symbol of its leaders for more than a century. The historical palace was home to generations of the Al Nahyan family, including President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed who was born there. It was a place where the leader used to meet with his people to fulfil their needs and look into their affairs and provide them with a dignified life.
Shaikh Mohammad, accompanied by the Cabinet members, toured the historical monument, which still stands as a testament to the UAE’s history. The century-old fortress was established in the early years of the 19th century during the reign of the first president, Shaikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, and witnessed the birth of Shaikh Khalifa and significant moments of his life from his early childhood to his leadership and vast national achievements.
The fort functioned not only as a home and an oasis in the desert but also as a place of rule and a focus for the community.
It was reopened this month after it underwent an extensive conservation programme which originally started in the late 1970s and then work was extended in 2009 to include archaeological excavations, preservation measures and restoration interventions.
Shaikh Mohammad and the ministers then performed Dhuhr prayers at the mosque in Qasr Al Muwaiji.
