Dubai: On the 10th UAE Flag Day on Thursday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, shared a video of a massive portrait of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made of flags.
“The UAE flag rises with pride, narrating the story of a wise leadership and a nation that achieves the impossible. Today, and every day, we unite to raise our flag, our symbol of pride and determination,” Sheikh Hamdan posted with the hashtag #UAEFlagDay
The video shows thousands of flags in the Flag Garden at Kite Beach in Dubai being used to form a portrait of Sheikh Mohamed.
Strong message of loyalty
It also carried a strong message of loyalty to Sheikh Mohamed in Arabic.
“Oh Sheikh Mohamed, step forward to the bright future...All UAE people are with you,” Sheikh Hamdan can be heard saying with the UAE National Anthem being played in the background.
The Flag Garden has been a major venue of celebrating the UAE Flag Day and other days of national importance with flags being used to form the portraits of various UAE leaders and landmark events like Expo 2020 Dubai in the past.
In a statement later, Sheikh Hamdan said that the UAE Flag Day is a national occasion that manifests the true meaning of belonging and loyalty.
“This year’s Flag Day is also an opportunity to renew our loyalty and pledge of allegiance to the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who has continued to lead the country on the path laid by the founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Sheikh Hamdan wished his best to the UAE President; to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and to Their Highnesses, Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates on the occasion. He said Flag Day celebrates the ambitious journey of development on which the founding fathers embarked with high aspirations for the nation’s future.
Sheikh Hamdan further said that the UAE citizens, under His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s leadership, one flag, and collective determination, are steadily progressing towards the future to consolidate the UAE’s leadership further.
“This annual occasion celebrates the UAE flag as a symbol of the strength of the union, the unity of its people and their loyalty to the country. The occasion is an opportunity for UAE citizens to demonstrate their patriotism and commitment to their leadership that works tirelessly to provide all components for progress and prosperity so the UAE continues its march toward excellence and remains at the forefront of various sectors,” he noted.
Sheikh Hamdan also said “the UAE flag embellishes our achievements and leading positions in various fields, including conquering space.”
The UAE Flag Day is celebrated nationally on November 3 in response to the call from Sheikh Mohammed, inviting UAE citizens and residents to celebrate the symbol of the nation.
Flag Garden celebration
In response to the call of Sheikh Mohammed, the Dubai Media Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Dubai Press Club (DPC) and Brand Dubai, the creative arm of GDMO, jointly celebrated the occasion at the ‘Flag Garden’.
Visitors can share their experience at the ‘Flag Garden’ on social media using the hashtag #UAEFlagDay. ‘Flag Garden’ will remain open to visitors until December 15, it was also announced.
Organised by Brand Dubai at Kite Beach in Jumeirah, the ninth edition of ‘Flag Garden’ celebrated His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s accession to office as President of the UAE. The garden features 4,000 UAE flags arranged to create the portrait of His Highness, honouring his ambitious vision and leading contributions to the UAE’s development.
Mona Al Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of GDMO, said: “The ‘Flag Garden’ has become a landmark event organised annually to mark the UAE Flag Day, attracting huge interest from visitors and residents across the UAE who want to participate in the national occasion and celebrate the country’s achievements. This year, the ‘Flag Garden’ pays tribute to the President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a visionary leader who is steering the country’s journey of development and prosperity and has played an instrumental role in making the UAE one of the world’s most advanced nations. Organising this creative annual initiative is aligned with our efforts to highlight Dubai’s unique identity and aspirations and celebrate the contributions of iconic national leaders.”
Sharing country’s message
Mohammed Al Mulla, CEO of DMI, said: “The UAE Flag Day is a national occasion that reaffirms a sense of belonging and loyalty to the country and its leadership. The flag reminds us of the role our leaders have played in making the UAE a leading nation on the global stage. On the occasion of UAE Flag Day, we renew our commitment to serving the nation and supporting its development journey so that the UAE continues to be at the forefront of nations shaping the future.”
Al Mulla added that the media sector has always been a key partner in the UAE’s development journey. “The UAE’s media will continue its mission to share the country’s message of peace and goodwill with the rest of the world,” he said.