Older UAE flags traded in for newer ones

Dubai: Residents and citizens got the chance to trade in their old UAE flags for newer ones in an initiative launched by the Emirates Post Group (EPG) and Watani, which concluded on October 31.

Almost 1,000 old flags were given in at main post offices around the country in exchange for newer ones, an official spokesperson of the EPG said.

The Defenders of the Flag initiative, one of many approved by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at spreading respect for the flag and ensuring the national colours waved in pristine glory.

Seven branches of the EPG across the country participated in the campaign. Post office staff volunteered to collect used and discarded flags from the public in exchange for newer ones. Sixty per cent of the 1,500 flags in stock were given away free during the campaign.

The flags were of various sizes, from as small as tabletop flags to ones that covered the facade of company buildings. A booklet, provided by Watani, was also handed out to those who traded in their old flags for newer ones. The booklet elucidated the proper ways of displaying the national flag, ensuring that it was not presented in a disrespectful manner, such as spread over the pavement.

Ebrahim Bin Karam, Chief Commercial Officer of EPG, praised the role of Watani in organising the ‘Defenders of the Flag’ campaign for the second consecutive year to promote a culture of respect for the UAE flag as a national symbol, and ensure that all understand the right ways of handling and using the flag.

The campaign will be complemented by a wider awareness strategy consisting of an intensive media campaign on the protocol of using and handling the flag.

“The awareness campaign, which is being conducted in cooperation with schools, government institutions, voluntary groups and media organisations in different emirates, is aimed at raising community awareness of respecting the flag as a national symbol, spreading general understanding among individuals and institutions on the rules relating to hoisting and lowering the flag, putting uniform standards for the use of the flag in terms of colour, size and other aspects,” he said.

The campaign also aimed to enlighten the public on the need to protect the sanctity of the flag by ensuring that the flags used are in good and neat condition. Toward this end, EPG volunteers will educate the community on how to dispose of worn out or damaged flags at different post offices and get new ones.