For this National Day, a Salim Suhail Park

Driving along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, in the direction of Saadiyat Island, one is confronted with a sign on the side of the road reading "Formal Park". Wandering around this park, there is not a single gentleman in tuxedo or lady in an evening dress to be found. It is a testament to a lack of imagination and an ignorance of Emirati history. There is no shortage of Emiratis who have made great sacrifices towards their country or achieved great things. But is there a shortage of Emiratis who recognise their accomplishments? Has an endemic Arab self-hate, and a misguided understanding of monotheism removed our capacity to honour those who were loved and lost?

Nearly 40 years ago, an Iranian marine infantry unit in hovercraft launched an amphibious invasion of the Tunb Islands, along with Abu Mousa. A young policeman called Salim Suhail refused to lower his country's flag and was shot and killed. He said no in a situation where most men would have said yes.

The Iranian invasion of the Islands was dismissed as insignificant by former Egyptian president Jamal Abdul Nasser, whose name is on a street in Dubai and Sharjah today. There is no Salim Suhail street as there should be, or a big beautiful boulevard that honours a patriot. It is a much better idea to call our streets after the many Emiratis who have defended, helped, inspired and healed the UAE.

Exceptional service

Salma Al Sharhan was the first Emirati to become a nurse, serving for over 40 years. She spends most of her retirement money on her local hospital and the poor. On one occasion she was reported to have created a cardboard box to help give birth to a baby whose mother had died, and to nurse him back to health on dates.

She injured herself and risked her safety in order to deliver medical aid. She is a heroine who must always be remembered and honoured for her service to the UAE.

Mohammad Al Midfa set up the first newspaper in the UAE, Oman, in 1927. Ebrahim Al Midfa wrote for the Sawt Al Asafeer and Al Amoud, which were both political newspapers, the latter an underground newspaper criticising the British presence in the Trucial States.

Musabah Al Daheri would go daily to Emirati coffee houses in Al Ain in the 1930s and collect local news for his newspaper Al Nakhi, which was written on shopping bags and posted on his shop wall. These three men most definitely deserve recognition for their efforts as the first Emirati journalists.

The first Emirati female teacher, Dr Rawda Al Mutawa, taught in Emirati schools from 1965 to 1985. She also established the Al Nahda women's association in Ras Al Khaimah, in 1960, and supported education in the UAE throughout her life.

There is no shortage of Emiratis who have rendered exceptional service to their country, or have been exceptional pioneers. But would you have really heard about Mohammad Al Midfa or Salma Al Sharhan had it not been discussed in this article?

There are, and will be many more joining this list of people who have served the UAE. It is also extremely important to not forget the services of many expatriates towards this country. One of the most patriotic things we can do is to remember those who selflessly gave the UAE, and honour them.

Remembering them inspires Emiratis today to keep pushing themselves, and to try to reach their full potential. It makes them continue to be part of our history. After passing away, people leave little else on this earth but their legacy. And it is the job of the living to remember and to honour those special people who were lost.

The National Day is not only about fancy cars, celebration and congratulations. It is also a time of contemplation. Let us not only feel proud, but think about how we can make more people proud. No one but the people in the UAE can form the type of civil society that will cultivate this attitude.

It is healthy to honour and contemplate the faceless heroes and everyday people who contribute to their country in big ways. It is important for Emirati society to acknowledge people whose outstanding performance gives this young country a greater ability to thrive.

So here is a very small step forward. Let's celebrate this 40th National day, and give this "Formal Park" a new name, honouring our heroes. Instead of having a name that means nothing whatsoever, a positive way of engaging society is to utilise these names. Because we definitely need a Salim Suhail Park, a Mohammad Al Midfa road, and a Rawda Al Mutawa school.

Ahmed Al Attar is a defence affairs commentator. You can follow him at www.twitter.com/ahmedwalattar