A sea of colourful flags will adorn the cities of the UAE on November 1, as the country celebrates its National Flag Day, to pay tribute to the UAE’s symbol of pride, loyalty, and belongingness for all of its citizens.
Traditionally celebrated every year on November 3, the event celebrates the anniversary of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s induction into office as the leader of the UAE. During this event, the national flag of the UAE is raised across all governmental facilities and establishments all over the country.
الإخوة والأخوات..تحتفل دولتنا بيوم العلم قريبا..رمز سيادتنا ووحدتنا..فخر مسيرتنا..ورايتنا التي ستعانق الفضاء..ندعو مواطنينا ومؤسساتنا ووزاراتنا لرفعه موحدا في الأول من نوفمبر الحادية عشر صباحا في وقت واحد..معبرين عن مصير واحد..وبيت واحد..وانتماء لا يزيده الزمن الا ثباتاً ورسوخا.. pic.twitter.com/14Gqwy51Zr
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 20, 2018
UAE Observes Flag Day Celebrating UAE Colours
Being a momentous event for all members of the UAE community, all government sectors as well as those in private institutions keenly take part in this grand celebration.
For this year, HH Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has declared November 1 as the official celebration date of the UAE Flag Day.
More than the flag itself – what it means to all citizens of the UAE or to be an Emirati, as reflected by the values and legacy entrusted by Sheikh Khalifa onto the hands of every UAE national, as well as to the future generations of the country, is truly what the cause of celebration is for.
According to Dr Al Hosani, also Deputy Director General of the Emirates Diplomatic Academy, the celebration of the national flag reflects the Emiratis’ spirit of unity, honour, and pride. It also underscores the country’s wise leadership, and the value of the Emirati belief system, as well as loyalty to and a sense of belongingness to the homeland.
Flag Raising Protocols
- The flag can be hung on lamp posts during national holidays. It should be placed horizontally, with the red side on top. There should be no other flags hung on the same street.
- While the UAE flag is represented by traditional pan-Arab colours, what these represent for Emiratis hold special meanings as follows:
- Red: The colour represents bravery, resilience, courage, and strength. The vertical red band can be seen as an element which unites all other elements of the flag.
- Green: The colour represents hope, joy, love, and optimism. The colour also reflects the country’s prosperity.
- White: The colour represents peace and honesty, as well as generosity and the humanitarian efforts of the country towards the rest of the world.
- Black: While the colour can be easily associated with the Middle East’s most precious resource – oil, it does, however symbolizes the defeat of enemies and strength of mind.
According to the UAE flag law: any person who publicly drops, damages or in any way slights the Union flag, the flag of any member emirate in the Union or the flag of any other country as a result of disgust or contempt of the powers of the Union, the emirates or the relevant countries, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of not greater than six (6) months and a fine of no more than AED 1,000.
