UAE Flag Day celebrated

Our Correspondent

November 3 is celebrated as UAE Flag Day. It marks the anniversary of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan becoming the President of the UAE in 2004.

On the occasion of Flag Day 2020, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, tweeted: “The UAE flag is, and will always remain, a symbol of peace and progress. On Flag Day, we remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend their flag, and we remind ourselves of the UAE’s determination to be at the forefront of development.”

A circular issued earlier by the UAE Government Media Office had stated, “Authorities said federal and other local entities, including those from the private sector, will raise the flag simultaneously in front of their headquarters at 11am on Tuesday, November 3.” On this day, Emiratis across the UAE will sing the country’s national anthem. This year owing to Covid-19 protocols, celebrations and gatherings will be muted.

Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), organises ‘The Flags Garden’ in Jumeirah every year. It features 4000 flags arranged to create the shape of the UAE’s map where visitors can take pictures against the spectacular backdrop of the flags.

The flag contains the pan-Arab colours of red, green, white, and black. It was designed in 1971 by a young Emirati, Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was 19 years old at that time, after seeing an advertisement about a design competition. He later went on to become the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The UAE flag was adopted on December 2, 1971, and raised that day for the first time by Sheikh Zayed to mark the country’s union.

The four colours represent the unity of Arabs. Red, the only vertical band in the flag, represents hardiness, bravery, strength and courage; it can also be interpreted as binding all the other meanings together in unity. Green represents hope, joy, prosperity, optimism and love. White represents peace and honesty. Black stands for the defeat of enemies, and also strength of mind. Contrary to popular belief, the black band does not represent oil.