Happy UAE flag day!
Today we see Emiratis and residents all over the UAE raising the flag to honour the country. National Flag Day is usually celebrated on 3 November, but this year it is celebrated on 1 November. The occasion is to mark the anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan becoming the President of the UAE in 2004, with the first celebration being in 2013. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the celebration will be today, on 1 November as 3 November falls on a Saturday.
The UAE flag stands for many things, but do you really know what those things are?
Who designed the flag?
On 2 December 1971, Abdullah Mohammad Al Maainah had his flag design raised for the first time. Of 1,030 entries, Mr Al Maainah, who was 14-years-old at the time, was chosen to represent the UAE with his red, green, black and white flag design. This symbol has been one of unity, peace, tolerance and power.
What do the colours represent?
Did you know?
Disrespecting the UAE flag could land you with a Dhs 1000 fine and imprisonment. This includes damaging, dropping, burning or any other lack of respect.