UAE National Day 2020: Gulf News readers share their favourite memory in the country

For Gulf News reader Nabil Naz, his trip to the Hatta Dam is very memorable. He said this beautiful mural showing the UAE leaders, painted at Hatta Dam always inspires him.

Gulf News reader Hussam Badi shared this picture of his father Badi Uz Zaman enjoying a game of cricket at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in 1985. He said: "I love this picture of my father, Badi Uz Zaman. My father never missed a game at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium - making the trip all the way from Al Ain all through the 1980s. No wonder I inherited his love for the game!"

The 25-year-old, Hussam Badi, who now works at a consulting firm in the UAE, shared a picture taken on the KhorFakkan beach in 1997 with his parents, Badi Uz Zaman and Naima. He said: "I would look forward to it every weekend, especially to all the sandwiches my mum would make. I miss the freedom of being a kid running on the clean beaches of Khor Fakkan with my parents!"

Sharjah in 2004: Gulf News reader Sneha Sharma shared an old picture of the Quran Roundabout in Sharjah. It reminds her of her early days in the UAE. She said: "This was taken way back in 2004. It is completely changed now. The pictures are precious to us as it reminds us of our memorable days. The first of everything... visiting the UAE for the first time, finding a house, a job, the outings, friends and family parties, and the best of all - growth. The UAE has given me so much in all these years, and every picture I have has a story to tell. Love to be part of the UAE, seeing it grow so dynamically every moment."

Sharma added: "Sheikh Zayed Road skyline then with not many skyscrapers back in the days."

Nicholas Grobler wrote: "Years ago I remember seeing photos of this amazing place, an abandoned village in the middle of the desert. It was an awesome experience to explore this unique location first hand, and still one of my favourite places in the UAE."

Gulf News reader Ghadir Shaar loves camping in Jebel Jais: "A self portrait of me in my camping spot on Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE. One of the best places to be in. I love camping and outdoors, and I spend most of my time in the mountains or the desert camping and venturing around. This picture is just one of so many adventures and memories I collected in this beautiful country."

Gulf News reader Donell Gumiran shared a piece of history through this picture of the Al Bidya Mosque. "I have taken this picture in Fujairah, 2016. Al Bidya Mosque has served the faithful of Fujairah since 1446. Its structure has been kept true to its past."

Remembering the Past: Coffee Culture picture taken in Dubai, 2016. "Arabic coffee symbolises the generosity and hospitality so highly valued in Emirati society. UAE has a multi-cultural experience. I am able to mingle with people, capturing the diverse cultures and everyday life through my photography," writes Gumiran.

Beyond the door of the mosque, in the "Ghost City", in Ras Al Khaimah. Known as “Ghost City” but in reality, this abandoned fisherman village is still alive. Looking through the old and damaged buildings, we can imagine the people’s way of life.

Gulf News reader Maricon Secretario loves the memory of watching the sunset at the Dubai Creek Harbour.

Gulf News reader Nabil Naz feels that the Al Seef district in Dubai takes him back in time. He said: "Many tourists and residents visit Al Seef district in Dubai as it shows the ancient look of the UAE of early days. It's good that they were able to preserve historical cultures, old houses with wind towers for the new generation to appreciate the beauty of the UAE's heritage."

Gulf News reader Jerry Mcilveen shared this memory of watching the sunrise near Al Madam Desert in Sharjah with his family.

"This is the best seat in the UAE overlooking the Hatta Dam. It is the Hatta Lifeguard chair. I have always loved the mountains and to my surprise the UAE had its own amazing mountain range! My wife and I loved how this chair was perfectly placed here to take in all its beauty," writes Gulf News reader Nicholas Grobler.

Taken in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi in 2015. "No roadmaps and signs, just sand waves and the heat of the sun. The bond between this man and his camel is their compass in their journey passing through the sandy road of the Sweihan desert in Al Ain, UAE," writes Gulf News reader Donell Gumiran.

Gulf News reader Dawn loves this photograph. The reader said: "Having lived in the UAE for 20 years, I am amazed by the UAE’s fast growth with its rapid developments and modern infrastructure. Driving in a desert safari is one of my favourite past-times. I have taken a picture of this camel herder way back in 2018 at Liwa desert. He was very hospitable and welcoming to our group. He offered us, complete strangers, free chai (tea) to refresh our early morning photo safari session, and that makes it more memorable to me."

Gulf News reader Dawn said: "It’s heartwarming to know that the UAE takes care of its animals, just like the ones in Sir Baniyas Wildlife Sanctuary. I have taken this picture of a group of Oryx at Sir Baniyas Island, Abu Dhabi, in 2018. It’s a six-hour drive from Dubai, but worth the long drive, seeing the wildlife free to roam around the Island."

One activity every tourist or adventure-loving resident never misses in the UAE is a Desert Safari. It involves a drive through undulating sand dunes in 4X4 vehicles culminating with a stop at a campsite where you have an opportunity to ride a camel, all terrain vehicles, get a henna tattoo and be entertained with shows while enjoying a sumptuous barbecue dinner.

We always enjoy watching fireworks celebrations on the occasion of the UAE National Day. This was taken in Abu Dhabi, 2019.

Gulf News reader Siddhartha Trivedi said: "I wanted to experience these musical fountains at Burj Khalifa for a long time, visiting fountains in September 2017 was a remarkable experience. Seeing these magical fountains blooming, nothing can match its beauty."

Last year, Gulf News reader Faseeh Fawaz was able to capture this scene representing the UAE's cultural heritage in front of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The last cannon shot sounding the end of Ramadan 2020. It always reminds us about the holy month or Ramadan when Muslims around the world fast and focus their attention on giving to charity, known as Zakat

Most expats in the UAE seem to love rain. For Nicholas Grobler, this picture of a lightning storm he captured in March 2020 still remains one of his most memorable experiences in the UAE. "This wasn't the weather I was expecting when I came here, but the UAE put on a dramatic show for everyone. I was so happy and amazed to be able to capture this powerful image," he wrote.