National Day (United Arab Emirates)

UAE National Day (Arabic: اليوم الوطني; Al Yawm Al Watani") is celebrated on 2 December each year in the United Arab Emirates.[1] The seventh emirate, Ras al Khaimah, was added to the federation on 10 February 1972 making it the last emirate (state) to join.[2]

National Day of the
United Arab Emirates
Observed byUnited Arab Emirates
SignificanceMarks the UAE's formal nationalisation in 1971.
Date2 December
Next time2 December 2023 (2023-12-02)
FrequencyAnnual

History

The UAE National Day stands for the nationalisation of the British Protectorate Treaties, which were declared in 1968, and also falls on the anniversary of the federal unification of the six emirates (seven in 1972 after Ras Al Khaimah joined) in 1971[3] which combined to form the modern-day country, headed by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the federation's first president. Recently, the UAE National Day has been combined with the Emirati Martyrs' Day that is on November 30th.[4]

Celebration

Grand celebrations are held across the country to mark the event. Fireworks, car rallies and dance shows are the most common activities.[5] People will usually dress up in UAE national flag colors and decorate their homes, workplaces, cars and streets to celebrate the day. Palm trees are decorated with lights from the colors of the flag. Hotels and other public sites are decorated with flags and lights.

Downtown Dubai is often lit with fireworks while the Burj Khalifa displays the UAE flag. It is crowded with people seeking to see the massive National Day fireworks and celebration. Shopping centers, malls, and institutions are also decorated with the flag of the country.

Heritage Villages are set all over the UAE in order to celebrate this event traditionally. It is generally a two day holiday, with December 3rd (the day after National Day) also being a observed as a public holiday.[6] Air shows are conducted while military processions are held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre for the rulers of the Emirates, members of the Federal National Council, and Emirati citizens.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Everything you need to know about UAE National Day". www.jumeirah.com. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  2. Abed, Ibrahim. Hellyer, Peter. (2001). United Arab Emirates : a new perspective. Trident Press. ISBN 1-900724-47-2. OCLC 47140175.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. "Public holidays | The Official Portal of the UAE Government". u.ae. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  4. Hilton, Tommy (30 November 2022). "What is Commemoration Day 2022 and why is it celebrated in the UAE?". The National. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  5. "Article Uae National Day". FNP. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  6. "National Day in United Arab Emirates in 2023". Office Holidays. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  7. "Article Uae National Day". FNP. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.