Dubai: Various events were held on Tuesday ahead of the 44th UAE National Day (December 2). Government departments, corporate offices, Emiratis and expats alike joined in the celebrations.
A large part of the celebrations focused on Emirati heritage, with folk performances and traditional food featured at many of the events.
People sang the national anthem and waved UAE flags, and took group photos and selfies.
Emirates Group
At Emirates Group, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, commemorated National Day with a cake-cutting ceremony at the Group’s Headquarters, which was followed by local Emirati dance performances.
A purpose-built heritage house made its debut at the Group Headquarters’ atrium, draped in the colours of the UAE flag.
At Emirates Flight Catering, staff gathered at lunch, where they were treated to a special menu that focused on local flavours and they sampled traditional Emirati dishes.
Emirates SkyCargo and Emirates Engineering captured the special day with staff raising the UAE flag besides an Emirates B747-400F and a recently-delivered Emirates A380.
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall is projecting the UAE flag colours onto the mall’s Waterfall, allowing visitors to take souvenir shots.
Complimentary face painting and UAE-themed nail art and beauty will be available in stores across the mall. Balloons in UAE flag colours will also be distributed.
Dubai Mall also held on Tuesday a Kids Parade where Emirati children dressed in UAE flag colours marched through the ground floor singing the national anthem and other patriotic songs. The march will also be held on Wednesday from 4pm-10pm.
Also on Wednesday, the Dubai Police Band will perform outside the entrance to the Waterfront Promenade.
Hamdan Bin Mohammad Smart University (HBMSU)
HBMSU started its day-long event with a moment of silence for UAE martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to restore peace in Yemen. This was followed with the raising of the UAE flag and the singing of the national anthem. Faculty members, administrators and learners reaffirmed their commitment to excellence and to values of the ‘Spirit of the Union.’
Sharjah Islamic Bank
Sharjah Islamic Bank hosted a celebration at its headquarters in the presence of the CEO, directors of departments and sections, and a number of employees from various branches of the bank.
Ahmad Sa’ad, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, hoisted the UAE’s flag on the bank’s flagpole as the national anthem played. Sharjah Equestrian Club and Rover Scout Students at the University of Sharjah also took part in the flag-raising ceremony.
University Hospital Sharjah (UHS)
UHS organised an event to jointly mark Commemoration Day (November 30) and National Day.
The celebration began with the UAE national anthem performed by the Sharjah Police scout team and included heritage activities, traditional UAE food and drink, and the option to take group pictures.
