Abu Dhabi: More than 200 nationalities in the UAE came together in commemoration of the country’s brave fallen soldiers through social media today.
On Commemoration Day, martyrs from as far back as 1971 who have sacrificed their lives for the UAE and more recently in the war against the Al Houthi rebels in Yemen, are honoured.
With the third highest number of Twitter users in the region, the UAE launched #CommemorationDay through which heartfelt words of gratitude, pride and hope were shared among citizens, residents and organisations.
Revealing a poem that he had written especially for this occasion, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated the public declaring: “Happy Commemoration Day my country, a bright occasion that has befallen a happy country…”
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, expressed a similar sentiment when he said: “Commemoration Day is one of the most beautiful days oh dear Nation. With the grace of God, the UAE is stronger… more proud and ambitious towards the future.”
Other officials also expressed their emotions on social media.
“The leadership’s paternal stance towards the martyrs’ children and their support proves to us that we are one family that is resilient through all circumstances,” tweeted UAE Minister of Energy Suhail Mohammad Al Mazroui.
President of the Emirates Policy Centre Dr Ibtisam Al Ketbi shared a tribute video made by the Sharjah Islamic Centre and wrote: “Commemoration Day, a day of pride, glory and dignity. Our son is alive and we’re proud of him, our son is up there with God.”
Elsewhere, graphics, videos, photos and even still shots from top ranking officials’ social media pages were also posted, reposted, shared, quoted and liked on Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook, among others.
Instagram alone saw 1,256 posts under the Commemoration Day hashtag with more under related posts where creative expressions of patriotic pride including UAE-based outfits, perfumes and even mobile phone covers were demonstrated.
