DUBAI 2 November 2018: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday kicked off Flag Day Celebrations by hoisting the UAE Flag at the Union House.
Sheikh Mohammed had previously called on the people of the UAE and all government departments to celebrate the UAE Flag Day, which coincides with the anniversary of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s assumption of office as the leader of the country.
Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Executive Council of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum accompanied Sheikh Mohammed at the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today we celebrate another key national occasion, just days after celebrating the launch of our first satellite fully built by Emiratis. On this day, we remember the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives to defend the sovereignty of the nation. We also pay tribute to our brave soldiers in the battlefield who stand tall defending justice.”
منى المرّي، المدير العام للمكتب الإعلامي لحكومة دبي: يشرفنا أن تزدان حديقة الأعلام هذا العام بصورة يحملها جميع أبناء الوطن في قلوبهم بكل الحب والتقدير والولاء وهي صورة صاحب السمو الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان، رئيس الدولة، حفظه الله. #يوم_العلم pic.twitter.com/JSeXDcLbLK
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2018
Greeting the 1,600 students participating in the event, Sheikh Mohammed said: “On this occasion, I call on our youth to protect and honour our flag and make sure we fly it high in all sectors.”
Al Fursan, the aerobatics demonstration team of the UAE Air Force, flew past the Union House, painting the sky in the colours of the UAE flag – green, white, black and red.
Sheikh Mohammed and his accompanying delegation visited the Etihad Museum where His Highness talked to some of the children about their ambitions. His Highness encouraged them to pursue their dreams to become the future leaders of the country.
At the conclusion of the event, His Highness took photos with the Watani Al Emarat Foundation team that organised the celebration.
Also attending the event were Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future Mohammed Al Gergawi; Director General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai Khalifa Saeed Suleiman; and Director General of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi.
Burj Khalifa marks #UAEFlagDay pic.twitter.com/YDD4AGcLpK
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 1, 2018