Dubai: As the UAE and its citizens express sacrifice and pride, remembering all those who laid down their lives fighting for the nation’s cause, it calls for a moment of reflection on how the UAE’s involvement in an armed conflict, the martyrdom of a number of its countrymen, and a commemoration day for their courage are enriching the concept of its national identity.
Earlier this year, the UAE, as part of the Saudi-led coalition, entered a war in Yemen to liberate the country it calls its “sister state” from Al Houthi insurgent groups.
Since the conflict began in March, the UAE has seen a number of its citizens become martyrs. They are now timeless Emirati symbols of courage, devotion and sacrifice who have ennobled the country.
Placing the theme of courage and sacrifice in the context of nationalism and national identity, Yuting Wang, associate professor who teaches sociology at the American University of Sharjah, said, “A strong national identity fosters a strong sense of belonging, critical in maintaining social stability and creating social cohesion.
Nation-state
“National identity is closely related to the concept of nation-state, the prevailing political system of our time,” she said. “Ideally, a nation-state is a sovereign political entity with a clearly defined territory and a people who share the same history, language and traditions. To be considered a nation-state, any political entity that meets the above criteria must also be recognised by the international community.
According to Yuting, symbols are essential to the consolidation of a national identity.
The UAE is a young nation-state, formed as a federation of seven emirates and along with the rapid economic development that has brought about significant social and cultural changes that has propelled it to an eminent position on the world’s stage, the idea of nationalism remains deeply embedded in the country’s fabric. The sacrifices of the martyrs are a powerful symbol of nationalism that will forever enable the UAE to adhere to its sense of identity, purpose and principles.
“National identity is a social construct as any other social categories,” she said. “It relies on symbols that can inspire and evoke strong sentiment and emotion associated with nationhood and statehood. National flag, national anthem, poetry that reminds people of their collective history in the region, the portraits of martyrs, the public discussions of martyrdom, and National Day celebrations, can all be considered symbols, which are essential in the process of identity construction.”
Yuting says that national identity is ever more important in today’s world. This is particularly relevant given the pervasive influence of global homogeneity in many aspects of society, she says.
“The recent creation of UAE Flag Day, Commemoration Day and the upcoming grand celebrations of UAE National Day exemplify efforts to maintain its distinctiveness.”