Today, the UAE celebrates the powerful spirit of its national identity on the occasion of Flag Day, which gives the people of the country a chance to take pride in the vast achievements the nation has made. This year, the occasion has an extra solemnity as the country hails the brave Emirati men and women who are fighting in Yemen and honours those who fell in battle and lost their lives and sympathises with the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the county.
It is almost 44 years since the UAE was founded and Flag Day is an opportunity to appreciate the deep patriotic commitment that binds the seven different emirates with their different backgrounds and histories into one unified and highly motivated nation. The extraordinary story of the federation’s success combines the popular support and participation in the national project, guided by the country’s leadership.
Flag Day is also a moment when we can remember the strong leadership and clear direction the country has enjoyed under President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who today marks his 11th anniversary at the head of the UAE, during which time, the country has enjoyed unprecedented growth and stability for the benefit of its citizens — in stark contrast to so much of the region where governance has failed.
However, while taking the opportunity to celebrate the progress that the country has made, it is also important to look ahead and see where the UAE hopes to go. The liberal spirit that the government encourages is based on the element of tolerance, which is at the heart of the UAE’s Muslim and Arab identity. The country now stands as a bastion against intolerance and extremism as the region is being sorely tested by extremist elements. The natural power of the spirit of the UAE is creating the country’s exceptional response as the nation shoulders its new responsibilities and has gone to war to defend its principles.
