Abu Dhabi: The anniversary of the nation’s martyrs will remain present in the memory of generations and immortal in the conscience of the UAE people, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said.
In a statement released on the occasion of the second Commemoration Day, which is marked yearly on November 30, Shaikh Khalifa said: “We, in our unified house, are capable of preserving and protecting the nation, which our forefathers founded on the values of charity, generosity, advocating for what is right, and standing with the oppressed.”
He added: ‘’Our martyrs will also remain the source of dignity, glory, and a beacon for generations, and their families and children will receive from us, and from the state and community, full care and attention.
“On this glorious day, we treasure the values of sacrifice and love for the nation and we highly honour and pay profound gratitude and reverence to the heroes of national duty who wrote with their pure blood the epic of dignity and glory. We pray to Almighty Allah to shower mercy on their souls and extend deep thanks to their families.”
The UAE leadership from across the country has paid tributes to the heroes. Rulers of the emirates conveyed the statements in their speech to Dira’a Al Watan (Nation Shield) magazine.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
Shaikh Mohammad has released a statement expressing his tribute to those who have sacrificed their souls defending the nation, the Emirati martyrs, the bearers of the principles of virtue and dignity, who have pledged their lives defending the rights of their homeland and nation.
In a statement to Dira’a Al Watan on the occasion of Commemoration Day, Shaikh Mohammad said: “Today, we gather as leaders and peoples of the nation to salute our heroes, to honour their memory, and to also remind everyone that their sacrifices will forever be remembered in our hearts and minds.”
He added: “Our martyrs’ loved ones are just as precious to us as our own, and their noble goals, for which they have sacrificed their lives, will be held as a badge of honour until the end of time.”
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed has said that the UAE has forged its way into existence through meticulous planning, hard work and unceasing sacrifices, adding that marking Commemoration Day is a gesture of respect and appreciation for the families of the martyrs, and an expression of commitment that the UAE stands by its people at all costs.
Mohamed bin Zayed: The UAE has forged its way into existence through meticulous planning, hard work and precious sacrifices— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 29, 2016
Commemoration Day reflects the UAE's pride in the sacrifices of its glorious martyrs and their heroic actions— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 29, 2016
Commemoration Day is a gesture of respect & appreciation to martyrs' families & shows that UAE government stands by its people at all costs— أخبار محمد بن زايد (@MBZNews) November 29, 2016
In a speech to Dira’a Al Watan on the occasion of Commemoration Day, Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed added that observing this day is a reflection of our leadership’s deep appreciation of the sacrifices made by our martyrs, stressing that they died to defend the values, protect the homeland and to help a brother in need and to restore justice.
He said: “The UAE has forged its way into existence through meticulous planning, hard work and unceasing sacrifices. This is a nation that values the precious sacrifices of its people, this is a nation that bestows upon its martyrs the highest order of honour.”
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah
Shaikh Sultan has reiterated that UAE martyrs are a source of pride for him and every Emirati as the nation’s martyrs sacrificed their lives serving the homeland.
Dr Shaikh Sultan expressed his greetings to the martyrs’ families on the occasion. He expressed his pride, and the pride of every Emirati, in the martyrs and their sacrifices that allowed their names to be engraved in the hearts of all citizens as a symbol of sacrifice.
He added: “The highest sacrifice to make for your country is to generously sacrifice your soul for your homeland, which is truly exemplified by our heroes in the armed forces who are working with dedication, devotion and loyalty to their country. We are proud of them and their generosity, and we support them as they are the UAE’s strong shield.
“Let us continue together boosting our strong march toward a brighter future for our homeland.”
His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman
Sheikh Humaid said that the UAE had adopted the policy of supporting the right and peace, helping the needy and rising to the defence of the oppressed.
“The UAE has proved that through the blood of its own children, it continues to uphold these principles, which were championed by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan,” Shaikh Humaid added.
He also said that the November 30 is a day of pride and patriotism.
“On this day, we pay tribute to our heroes, who offered their lives for their motherland, while performing their military and humanitarian duties in the UAE and abroad.”
His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Member of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah
Shaikh Hamad has said that Commemoration Day represents an occasion to remind the UAE people that nations are not built without sacrifice, and that the Emirati heroes who sacrificed their lives to keep the homeland safe deserve our appreciation, admiration and reverence.
He added that the participation of the UAE forces with the Arab coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is yet another confirmation that the people of the UAE will not hesitate to protect their national security, nor refrain from rescuing their brothers who ask them for help, stressing that the honourable performance of the UAE troops in Yemen, a brotherly nation, was and still is the focus of everyone’s appreciation and admiration for the efficiency of our army, and the martyrdom of our heroes is evidence of their courage.
His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain
Shaikh Saud has said that the initiative launched by Sheikh Khalifa to celebrate Commemoration Day has translated the meanings of respect and appreciation to the martyrs of the nation and their families.
He added that national cohesion represents the true meaning of unification and effective participation in building the nation, preserving its gains and strengthening its social fabric as well as the culture of loyalty instilled by the founding fathers in the spirits of successors as they represent the first strategic goal in the union.
In a speech to Dira’a Al Watan, Shaikh Saud said: “It is a pride for us to witness the honouring of martyrs of the homeland in recognition and appreciation of their sacrifices and acts of patriotism, as they represent an immortal example of national unity and belonging. They also translate the strong will and determination of our Armed Forces’ servicemen.
His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
The leadership of the UAE focuses its attention on nationals in all spheres, where this has culminated in the annual celebration of the Commemoration Day, thanks to the leaders’ firm belief that Emiratis are the pillar of safety, security and immunity of the nation, said Shaikh Saud.
“The celebration shows appreciation of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and all that is precious for their country and showed that nothing is more precious than the nation,” he said in a statement to the Dira’a al Watan.
Shaikh Saud also paid tribute to the families of Emirati martyrs who took pride in their sons and were prepared to offer more sacrifices for the nation.
