Gen Mohammed raises UAE flag in Abu Dhabi

General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Monday afternoon hoisted the UAE Flag on the flag-staff at the Abu Dhabi Breakwater, marking the conclusion of the Flag Procession Initiative, in which the UAE flag toured the seven emirates, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Crown princes, sheikhs and senior officials attended the ceremony, which started when General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed received the UAE Flag from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

In his remarks on the occasion, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said, "It is a great honour for us all to celebrate a glorious and everlasting occasion which reflects the achievements of the Founding Fathers of the nation, who erected an immune edifice based on their hopes then for having a glorious country that is advanced and civilised.

"The successive generations will remember the founders of the Union who had determination and will, overcame hardships and wrote an eventful chapter of history, and the success story for this nation which is now a source of pride for all Arabs. Today we celebrate this glorious occasion with my brothers the Crown Princes and nationals out of loyalty to, and in recognition of, their role and in honour of their memory, as well as in honour for the stature of the Flag for the people of the UAE as this flag represents the symbol of our existence, unity and identity that generations vow to always keep high and fluttering."

General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked those in charge of the Flag Procession Initiative for embodying the greatest levels of loyalty to, and love for the nation, as well as keenness on promoting the values of gratitude, cohesion between the leadership and the people, fraternity, love and unity between the Emirates of the nation.

                                                                                                 [UAE Flag Pix: WAM]

The celebration today included an airshow and a boat show displaying the UAE flag.

The Flag Procession was a parade which set off from Fujairah and toured all the emirates before arriving in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The flag hoisting celebration was attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain and Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah.

It was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative in the Eastern Region, Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary at the Court of the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, Abdullah Al Masaood, Chairman of the National Consultative Council (NCC), ministers, senor officials and military and police officers, and a large audience of people.
 

UAE flag raised high on giant flagpoles in Kalba, Al Dhaid and Dibba Al Hisn

As part of the celebration of the 42nd UAE National Day, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) inaugurated three giant 75-metre high flagpoles, concurrently, in the cities of Kalba, Al Dhaid and Dibba Al Hisn in the emirate of Sharjah during special ceremonies held in the three cities in presence of a number of senior government officials and directors from the emirate of Sharjah.

Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Chief of the Sharjah Ruler's Office in Kalba, attended the flagpole inauguration ceremony in Kalba, accompanied by Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, Dr Abdullah Saif Obaid Al Yamahi, Chairman of the Kalba Municipal Council.
Mohammed Sultan bin Huwaidin, Chairman of Al Dhaid Municipal Council attended Al Dhaid's ceremony Tamim bin Salem Al Tamim Al-Riyami, while Chairman of Dibba Al Hisn Municipal Council attended the city's flagpole inauguration ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said the inauguration of the three flagpoles came in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, of establishing national and tourist destinations in each city of the emirate of Sharjah, to share the joy of the people of the UAE in their country.

She added: "The UAE has accomplished a lot of achievements during the last 42 years in all areas of life, and made its citizens' lives better. These flagpoles are an icon of the UAE citizens' pride of the role played by the Union in maintaining our identity, boosting our capabilities and developing our communities to claim the rightful place among the world's civilised nations, in terms of economic, architectural, social and cultural development. These achievements have elevated the country to prestigious position in the ranks of most advanced countries in the world".

Sheikh Haitham expressed his thrill in the flagpoles inauguration in Kalba and other cities in the emirate of Sharjah, which came in line with the nationwide celebrations of the 42nd UAE National Day. He said that the flag has a dominant presence in such occasions as it is one of the most important patriotic symbols that portray the greatness of the Union and its achievements in all aspects of life.

He extended his heartiest congratulations and salutations to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to their brothers Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council Rulers of the Emirates and to the UAE people on this special occasion. He expressed his wishes that the UAE will remain an oasis of safety, progress and prosperity and a beacon of excellence in all areas.

Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, said the authority is always keen to mark National Day by organising various activities in the different destinations and regions being developed and managed by the Authority, and to share the joy of the UAE people on this special occasion. He added that Shurooq would be committed to transforming the squares of the flagpoles in each respective city into attractive destinations that catch the attention of visitors from inside the country and abroad.

The UAE flag was raised high on the three flagpoles at the end of the ceremonies, which began with the UAE national anthem, followed by the oath of loyalty, and then the flag-raising ceremony, accompanied by a musical performance by the military musical band of Sharjah Police.

The celebrations also featured a saluting of the flag and then concluded with releasing of balloons in UAE colours. Al Dhaid's ceremony included "Here is the UAE" operetta performed by 42 children, while Dibba Al Hisn's ceremony was concluded with live performance by the folklore band.

Dr Abdullah Saif Obaid Al Yamahi said that a number of facilities and amenities would be developed in Flagpole Square in Kalba to transform the area into a national and tourist landmark that attracts visitors and tourists. He added that the area would also host national activities in the near future.

Mohammed Sultan bin Huwaidin said that people in Al Dhaid have been eagerly awaiting the flag inauguration since the commencement of construction works on the site. With the inauguration of the flagpole on 2nd of December, they are extremely happy of this new national landmark that will occupy an important place of their city.

Tamim Salem Al Tamim Al-Riyami said that Dibba Al Hisn has made a national achievement with this huge flagpole which reflects the country unity and people loyalty to the federation. He said that the flag square in the city will be a beacon of dignity, pride and glory for all citizens.

The inauguration ceremonies were attended by a huge crowd of people from Kalba, Al Dhaid and Dibba Al Hisn who expressed their heartfelt joy on the occasion and their pride of their flag and loyalty to their leadership. They stressed that such activities will contribute to maintaining sense of belonging to their beloved homeland for which all citizens share love and loyalty.
 

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