Flag Day: ‘The main difference between the UAE and the rest of the world is its leaders’

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s inspiring wealth of achievements within a short period of time, thanks to its pioneering leadership, has compelled the world to look up to it, residents and citizens in the capital said.

From being ranked as one of the happiest and safest nations in the Middle East, to ranking first globally as the largest aid donor to Yemen in 2015, Emiratis and expats said that they are honoured to call the UAE their home and conveyed their sincere tributes to this country on the occasion of Flag Day.

At a height of 123 metres, the flag posts in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are the tallest in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi flagpost was erected on July 22, 2001. Sharjah flagpost is on its Flag Island, near Souq Al Jubail, and was erected on December 2, 2012

Highlighting that this day continues to mark potent national pride, 22-year-old Emirati graduate Mohammad Luqman said: “Flag Day is essential. When I drive around the UAE and see its flag flying high atop houses, it ignites my sense of patriotism. It reminds me how united we are.”

Luqman takes pride in the country’s strides, particularly towards women’s empowerment.

“When we have 26 Emirati women representing the UAE on Forbes’ Middle East 200 Most Powerful Arab Women, that alone speaks volumes,” Luqman added.

“The UAE recognises that the role of women is vital to the betterment and prosperity of society; without the success of women, and the recognition of their contributions, society is weak.”

Luqman said, “People of the Emirates are blessed with leaders who love them. That is the difference. The riches of this land aren’t the riches of black gold. They are the riches of pride, unity and great leadership.”

Emirati Khalid Omar, a cyber security expert, said that the country’s leadership is not only loved and respected by the UAE, but also by the wider world.

“What makes this country unique is its willingness to extend a helping hand to those in need. Look at how much the UAE is doing for Yemen and the fact that it is considered to be one of its biggest donors. This is not unusual for a country that is synonymous with kindness and generosity,” Omar said.

“UAE citizens and residents have always received the best treatment possible and have regularly been offered boundless opportunities in what is considered to be one of the safest countries worldwide,” continued Omar. “This is why I believe that the UAE is loved by everyone and is a role model for the whole world... so let’s raise the flag and hold our heads high.”

Although not a UAE citizen, Nagham Sami, a 23-year-old Egyptian resident and a social media executive, said that she will eternally be proud of calling the UAE her home. “The difference between the UAE and the rest of the world is that its leaders have always followed through with their oaths to make their subjects’ lives better,” Sami said.

“It’s quite natural that a country like the UAE is among the pioneers of safety, education, and women’s empowerment. This is a legacy that Shaikh Zayed [Bin Sultan Al Nahyan] left behind, which continues to grow because the UAE leaders truly care about the quality of everyone’s life,” she said.

Echoing similar remarks, Talal Awartani, 30, who came to the UAE from the US, said that the UAE continues to flourish economically, politically and socially, primarily due to the efforts of its leaders.

“I grew up here and have watched the UAE bloom into a leader in a number of fields at an incredible pace. This country is home to me and my family. It afforded us, and so many others, opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment. The best part is that everyone living here has played a part in the country’s evolution, which certainly is a very special feeling to have,” Awartani, a senior communications specialist, added.

Some international rankings showing how well the UAE is performing across the spectrum and keeping its flag flying high