The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge, ADEK, celebrated the UAE Flag Day today, which falls on November 3rd each year.

Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, ADEK’s Chairman, raised the UAE flag while the UAE national anthem played in the background and in the presence of all ADEK employees.

To mark the event, Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasised the importance of marking such an important occasion which coincides with the anniversary of the accession of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to presidency, as it is an opportunity to renew covenant and reaffirm loyalty to the UAE’s prudent leadership.

"On this occasion, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of Emirates and all UAE citizens," said ADEK’s Chairman.

Dr. Al Nuaimi further added, "Today we mark a historical occasion where we raise our flag high with pride, as it symbolises unity and pride for our beloved county that was founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The day also reflects the unity and cohesion of the UAE people and supports values of loyalty and belonging".

He pointed out that the UAE flag is a global symbol for peace, tolerance, equality, respect, openness, and humanitarian aid. It also reflects the true nature of the UAE as being a universal hub that embraces people from different cultures and backgrounds.

The UAE Flag represents its independence and sovereignty and signifies the loyalty of its people towards the UAE leadership. It reflects the ambitions and values of all people living in the country, Emiratis as well as expatriates, particularly students who salute the flag daily, in respect and appreciation of the country and its role in providing the future generations with all the support needed to achieve success and progress.

Within the same context, Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, President of Zayed University, partook in the university's celebration marking the auspicious occasion. She sent her sincere greetings to the country's supreme leadership, atop of whom comes President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and renewed, on behalf of Zayed University, allegiance to the nation's command, reiterating continued determination to continue working hard for the higher good of the homeland. The UAE Flag was hoisted in the external court of the university campus, flying high amidst a large number of the university teaching and administrative staff and students.

"The tremendous achievements made by the UAE are attributed to the nation's wise leadership and their solid belief in the country's human wealth," said Sheikha Lubna in her speech marking the occasion.

In Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah held a special ceremony on campus today as part of the countrywide celebrations to mark UAE Flag Day. The national event celebrates and demonstrates national unity and loyalty to Emirati culture.

The flag-raising ceremony, hosted by the Office of Student Affairs and the Emirati Cultural Club, was attended by senior university officials as well as by a large crowd of students and members of the campus community.

Commenting on the significance of the national event, Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students, said, "I am thankful that as the nation celebrates Flag Day, the AUS campus community joins in the celebrations by expressing its full support and attending the flag hoisting ceremony on campus. The UAE Flag Day is an opportunity for Emiratis and residents to express unity and loyalty to the UAE and its great leaders. The occasion also provides a platform for all residents to show their feelings towards the flag through the various activities organized across the country on this special day. I thank students from the Emirati Cultural Club for supporting and initiating Flag Day activities on campus."

Speaking on the occasion, Mariam Abdullah, Vice President of Emirati Cultural Club at AUS, said, "UAE Flag Day is a special event celebrated by all Emiratis and other nationalities to show appreciation of Emirati culture and traditions as well as represent our national spirit and pride.

In Dubai, Emaar Properties marked the UAE Flag Day in honour of the nation’s glorious past, impressive achievements and inspiring future vision. At a ceremony held in Downtown Dubai, Emaar’s senior management team and employees joined to hoist the UAE National Flag, underlining the organisation’s solidarity with the leadership.

A tribute to the visionary guidance and world-leading initiatives by the founding fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the UAE Flag Day underscores achievements of the nation.

Emaar’s celebration further highlights the accomplishments of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council, who have transformed the UAE as a global hub for business and leisure, in addition to achieving impressive results in all development indices.

Emaar joined governmental entities, private sector entities and educational institutions across the nation in pledging allegiance to the National Flag, a symbol of unity, patriotism and loyalty to the country, its leadership and to the values of the union.

Through the National Flag Day, Emaar is highlighting the significance of the flag colours: red, which stands for the sacrifices of the previous generations in laying the foundations of the nation as well as that of the UAE Martyrs who safeguarded the country; green, which symbolises the UAE’s growth, prosperity and cultural renaissance; white, embodying the nation’s spirit of charity and support to global peace; and black, demonstrating the strength of the nation and its people and the UAE’s rejection of injustice and extremism.

A celebration was also held at the UAE National Center of Meteorology (NCM).

Dr Abdulla Al Mandoos, Director of the NCM, said, "I would like to congratulate our leadership and all UAE citizens on UAE Flag Day, which embodies the strength of our nation, united under one flag.'' ''We take this day as an opportunity to renew the pledge of loyalty to our beloved country, and our never-ending commitment to keep the UAE shining bright, locally and internationally,'' he added.

Dubai Investments PJSC also marked the UAE Flag Day today, with top management and employees from the company and its subsidiaries joining in the celebrations.

Abu Dhabi Ports as well as Fujairah Terminals and the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), today likewise celebrated the UAE’s Flag Day alongside the UAE’s government and people.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports, had the honour of hoisting the flag in the presence of all Abu Dhabi Ports employees in front of the Abu Dhabi Ports Head Quarters.

The Abu Dhabi Ports’ team emphasised their loyalty to the nation and its wise leadership, with a salute to the flag, which is a symbol of unity, pride and glory.

Commenting on the occasion, Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports said, "This special occasion is a symbolic reminder of the unity that has been the foundation of our nation. As we all come together, we portray our traditional Arabian values in the spirit of peace, coexistence and tolerance that our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has instilled within each of us, young and old, and is still passed on till date by our wise leadership. We are proud to celebrate this day to renew our pledge and show our commitment to our nation."

In November 2013, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, launched Flag Day to commemorate the day His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan assumed his office as President of the UAE.

Source: Wam