UAE flag day is one of the most important days for the people of UAE. The Emiratis observe the flag day to symbolize togetherness and harmony. It stands for the assurance of belonging to this beloved nation and embracing respect for authorities.
The UAE flag was created in 1971, and the late president Sheikh Bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the UAE’s national flag for the first time. Every year on November 3, Emiratis gather around the flag pole to celebrate the UAE flag day.
In this guide, we will cover the background of UAE’s flag day, including when and who started the custom of celebrating Flag day.
Likewise, this Dbd guide will also cover the importance of the national flag and the consequences of disrespecting it in public.
So, if you are eager to discover more about the UAE flag day, continue reading.
When is UAE flag day in 2024?
The UAE flag day is celebrated every year on November 3rd. Despite the UAE flag being raised for the first time in 1971, this flag day custom just began in 2013.
On Flag Day, people come together and celebrate their identity as a strong, unified nation by raising the flag.
Emiratis and locals fly the national flag over their residences and workplaces on this particular day. Many people also use flags to adorn their vehicles, displaying their pride and patriotism as they go about their daily lives.
Flag Day in 2024 will fall on a Thursday, November 3rd, making it the perfect time for a long weekend of celebrations with friends and family.
What is UAE flag day?
UAE Flag Day is a significant day for the natives to commemorate the efforts made by the nation’s founders to secure its independence.
The people of the UAE will always be grateful for the sacrifices Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Zayed made on behalf of the country and its people.
Additionally, this day serves as a reminder of the contributions made by the UAE by president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He has put much effort into developing the UAE, and as a result, it is now among the wealthiest nations in the world.
What is the history of flag day UAE?
One of the most significant national symbols for the UAE is its flag. Therefore, all Emiratis take pride in the UAE flag, which serves as a reminder of the nation’s historic past and vibrant present.
The UAE flag was created in 1971, and the late president Sheikh Bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the UAE’s national flag for the first time.
The flag is red, white, and black, with a horizontal tricolor of red, green, and black. The symbolism of each hue on the flag is different: red stands for courage and strength, white represents purity and honesty, and black signifies determination and zeal.
Similarly, the horizontal tricolor stands for harmony and balance. The flag also represents the nation’s dedication to progress and its commitment to its citizens.
The significance of the flag lies in its representation of the unity of the seven emirates that comprise the UAE.
Why is flag day celebrated in UAE?
The history and culture of any nation are intimately connected to its flag. They serve as a symbol of national pride and a reminder of the efforts made to achieve freedom.
Similarly, UAE Flag Day is marked in the UAE as a reminder of that country’s rich history and culture.
Let’s look at a few of the reasons why the UAE celebrates Flag Day.
Significance of Independence
UAE Flag Day is a national holiday celebrated every year on December 2nd. The holiday commemorates the day that the United Arab Emirates was founded.
This was a historic moment for the people of the Arabian Peninsula. The region was divided into small city-states and tribal territories for centuries.
The formation of the UAE marked the first time that the people of the region had come together to form a single nation. The UAE’s founders envisioned a modern and prosperous country that would be a role model for other nations in the region.
Showcase of patriotism
One of the most important reasons for celebrating UAE flag day is to showcase patriotism and bravery. By flying the flag on this day, Emiratis can show their pride in their country and their commitment to its future.
This day offers a chance to honor the bravery displayed by the soldiers who defended the nation. Similarly, on UAE Flag Day, the public raises the flag to remember those who have given their lives to defend the country.
Teaches culture and history
UAE Flag Day is a significant historical event that highlights Arabian culture and history. It is also an opportunity for residents of the UAE to learn more about the country’s culture and history.
The UAE flag represents the country’s citizens’ pride and solidarity. Moreover, it serves as a reminder of the nation’s rich past and promising future. On this particular day, the citizens of the UAE fly the UAE flag proudly.
How to celebrate UAE flag day?
UAE flag day is one of the most important days in the history of the people of UAE. There are various ways that the citizens celebrate national flag day.
Let’s take a look at some of these ways.
Raising national flag
UAE flag day is a time for Emiratis and residents to show their national pride. The president of the UAE has been encouraging people to raise the flag over their homes and workplaces, and many have followed his lead. As a result, the streets are lined with flags of all sizes and colors.
Even businesses have gotten in, raising flags over their storefronts. The sense of unity and patriotism is palpable, and it’s clear that the UAE is a country that takes its flag seriously.
For many, raising the flag is a way to show their love for their country and celebrate its accomplishments.
Decorate your flags
Emiratis are well known for their patriotism, and one way they express their love for their country is by decorating flags. Many people go above and beyond on UAE flag day, decorating their flags with paint, stickers, and even flowers.
This is a great way to show your country’s support and spread awareness about the holiday. In addition to flag decorations, many people also carve particular messages into their flags.
Whether you decorate your flag or not, national flag day is an excellent opportunity to show your support for your country and to express your national pride.
Fly a kite
Flying a kite is a popular activity on Flag Day. The sky is filled with patriotic colors as people of all ages take to the streets to fly their kites.
It is one of the best ways to celebrate flag day, as you can also get kites in the colors of flags.
Join or organize rallies
People celebrate national UAE flag day by joining political rallies and organizing rallies in the local community. It is an excellent way to celebrate the day and unite the community.
Similarly, several political parties and the prime minister of the UAE organize special events to raise awareness of the national flag on this day.
Who designed the UAE flag?
Everywhere a country’s flag is viewed as a representation of independence, serenity, and nationalism.
Abdulla Mohammed Al Maena designed the UAE flag in 1971. He was inspired by the poem Safi-u-in Al Hali expressing the act as white, battles as dark, plains as green, and swords as red.
There were about 1030 flag designers, and Al Maena was selected from six short-listed designers.
Overall, this design stands for peace, happiness, and security for national public gatherings, religion, government, and economics, whether outside the country or in the UAE.
What is the meaning of the UAE flag?
The United Arab Emirates flag is essential to its citizens because it embodies many of the UAE’s citizens’ principles. The UAE’s citizens commemorate these principles on UAE Flag Day.
The four colors of the flag each represent a different quality. Black symbolizes power, white purity, green hope, and red courage, signifying the Arabs’ unity.
Similarly, it also represents strength, justice, tolerance, moderation, and peace.
Moreover, UAE Flag Day is a time for the country’s people to show their pride in and love for their flag.
When was the first UAE flag Day?
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Dubai’s vice president and ruler inspired the idea to celebrate UAE flag day. Rashid raised awareness of the day’s importance by giving interviews and even tweeting it.
The first national flag day was celebrated on November 3, 2013, to show pride in the country and its people.
The UAE flag day is an opportunity to promote a sense of national identity and pride in the UAE. It also serves as a reminder of the country’s achievements over the past 50 years.
How should UAE flag be flown?
UAE imposes very rigorous guidelines on how to fly your flag. You should be aware that violating the UAE’s penal code or constitution could result in penalties or jail time.
This is especially true if you are discovered to be making fun of the national flag or failing to understand its significance.
Let’s take a look at what you should and shouldn’t do while flowing your national flag.
- The national flag of the United Arab Emirates must always be rectangular.
- The colors of the flags must always be in order, such as red, green, white, and black.
- The UAE national flag must be raised higher than any other boards or banners in your home or workspace.
- Especially for embassies and government buildings, the flag must be replaced every six months and inspected for damage every 45 days.
- The flag must always be nylon and weigh more than 122.5 gm/square meter.
Hence these are some legal ways of maintaining or flying the national flag. Failure to comply with these laws insults the national flag and the country.
According to Article 176 of the UAE law, you will be punished by detention if you are found to make public insults to the national flag or the emblem of the country.
The federal law of 1971 article 3 of law 2 indicates you can be jailed for up to six months in prison or a fine or both if you are found publicly insulting the national flag.
Related Stories
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- Check out this Dbd guide on – UAE National Day, to learn when, why, and how it is celebrated.
- Wanna celebrate this Mother’s day with immense joy and love? Check out this Dbd guide on – Mother’s day in UAE.
FAQs on UAE flag day
Is Flag Day a national holiday UAE?
No, flag day is not a national holiday in UAE; however, people all around UAE celebrate it by organizing events, joining rallies, and raising awareness even among the small children in schools.
When did Flag Day start in UAE?
UAE flag day was first started in 2013 when Sheikh Khalifa became the president of the UAE. At the time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid pitched the idea, and many political leaders agreed to the idea. But the national flag was designed fifty years ago by Al Maena and was approved as the national flag.
When is the UAE flag day celebrated?
Every year on November 3rd, national flag day is celebrated since the first celebration in 2013. This is to honor the nation’s independence and mark National Flag Day.
Final thoughts
Overall, UAE Flag Day is among the most significant days in the nation’s history. Ever since independence day, the flag of the UAE has had a significant meaning of pride, peace, and harmony.
The people of the UAE are incredibly proud of their flag and never pass up the opportunity to raise it from their residences, places of business, and cars.
Have you ever flown the UAE flag? How do you observe UAE Flag Day if you reside there?
Tell us in the comments section below.
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About the author
Arijit Negi
Arijit Negi is an expatriate living in Dubai for 18 years. He completed his degree in Master of Arts in Journalism from the University of Mumbai. Arijit focuses on providing helpful guides and information for ex-pats living in UAE and visitors to the UAE.
Omar Saeed
Omar Saeed is a Senior Contributor at DbdPost based in Dubai. He earned his degree in Master of Media and Communication from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and covers news, info guides, reviews, and opinion pieces on various topics related to the UAE.
