Commemoration Day, previously known as Matyrs' Day, will be observed on Thursday, 29 November this year instead of its official date of 30 November. The UAE Cabinet’s decision to undertake ceremonies a day in advance comes as the official date of Commemoration Day happens to fall on Friday.
To mark the occasion on Thursday, the UAE flag will be raised to half-mast at 8am, and a minute's silence will observed at 11.30am, followed by the raising of the UAE flag and the national anthem in honour of Emirati martyrs.
Commemoration Day has been observed on 30 November since 2015 following a ruling passed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Commemoration Day recognises sacrifices of UAE martyrs who have given their life in the UAE and abroad in the field of civil, military and humanitarian service.