The UAE marked Flag Day on November 3 with a nationwide flag-raising ceremony at 11am, as residents and citizens came together to celebrate the country's identity, unity and shared values.
In Abu Dhabi, the occasion carried personal meaning for people from different backgrounds. Gulf News spoke to Emiratis and expatriates to understand what the national flag represents in their lives.
First celebrated in 2013, UAE Flag Day marks the anniversary of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan's accession as President in 2004. The annual observance follows a call by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, encouraging citizens, residents, schools and institutions to raise the national flag across all seven emirates. For 21-year-old Emirati Mohammad Abdullah Ali Saleh Alyassi, who was born in Abu Dhabi, the flag represents the country's history and its founding generation.
"The UAE flag is the flag of our country, and it is a role model for us. It was raised by our father, Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him.” He described the flag as a symbol of the union of the seven emirates and Arab identity.
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The meaning of Flag Day also extends beyond national history. For many residents, it reflects their connection with the country and the opportunities they have found there. Engineer Mona Abdullah Al Ali described the flag as a reminder of the nation's history and future ambitions.
“For me, the flag means pride, honour and belonging to my dear homeland. It is a symbol of union, unity and security, of the history of our ancestors, our achievements and our ambitions for the future," she said.
For expatriate Bharati Kejriwal, who has lived in the UAE since 2014, the flag represents gratitude and inclusion.
“This country has kept us safe. This country has included us,” she said. “I never once felt like an outsider, and that is rare.”
Elena Obukhova, who has lived in the UAE for a year, marked her first Flag Day by dressing her daughter in the national colours for school. She associated the occasion with peace, courage and respect.
Italian resident Erika Fay Nicole also spoke about her connection with Abu Dhabi. She said the flag represents belonging, freedom and protection. The celebrations also offer families an opportunity to introduce younger generations to the country's history and values. For residents from different nationalities, the occasion reflects a shared connection with the place they call home.
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