Abu Dhabi: The UAE officially marked its 44th National Day celebrations with a stunning ceremony in the presence of the UAE’s leaders at Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening.
The King of Morocco was a special guest at the ceremony.
The ceremony, which included a march past by soldiers, was held under the patronage of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the celebrations. Also present were Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah and Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain. Crown princes and deputy rulers of the emirates were also present.
The event, which was attended by around 40,000 people, celebrated the UAE’s heritage and traditions and paid tribute to martyrs.
The people burst into cheers as the country’s leaders entered the arena.
Celebrations began by performers setting the scene in the desert with Emirati traditions and heritage, such as building of a dhow, sitting around a fire, women carrying out Emirati crafts and children playing as they would have in the desert.
As the performers gathered in the centre of the stage and held up the UAE flag, the national anthem was played, which added to the enthusiasm.
Possibly the biggest stage that the UAE ever seen then lit up to unveil a ghaf tree located at the back, and performers dressed in traditional Emirati clothes gathered at the bottom of the tree. A representation of the UAE and the coming together of the seven emirates.
A little girl dressed in pink then appeared on stage, running around frantically fighting a sandstorm, which was created by state of the art technology. Groups came to her rescue and she was raised in the sky in triumph. The stadium cheered as she rose in the sky assisted by wires and flew around the stage. A symbol of being Emirati and being united even through struggles.
A parade by 1,200 men and women representing the police, Armed Forces and members of the National Service was well received by the audience, with many people standing as a mark of respect. The parade was a tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed everything for their country.
A poem written by martyr Captain Hadef Bin Humaid Bin Ramah Al Shamsi before he died in combat was recited at the event.
Celebrations also included traditional Emirati music and dancing, which saw 2,500 performers participating.
A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to those who sacrificed their lives serving the nation.
The show kept Emirati traditions alive while bringing grand modern elements to the event, a symbol of the UAE’s 44 years of growth.
