Emiratis consider their flag day with high regard, as it remains a great source of pride and inspiration. UAE flag day is celebrated by government offices, business establishments, schools, and individuals by hanging national flags outside their office buildings and homes.
UAE National Flag Day Significance
The Emiratis consider this national occasion an opportunity to celebrate their leadership, excellence, and achievements made by their country at regional and international levels. Read on to learn about the history, significance, and more about the UAE flag day.
When Is Flag Day In UAE? – Date
Each year people celebrate national flag day on November 3rd to reaffirm their patriotism and allegiance to the national flag. This year, the UAE flag day 2023 will be observed on November 3rd to pledge and reaffirm Emiratis’ spirit of patriotism to the UAE to maintain their development process in various fields.
History Of UAE Flag Day
Unlike today, the United Arab Emirates was not a powerful country during the 1800s. Originally it was a cluster of rival tribal groups spread across several parts of the country. In 1820, the British proposed to offer complete protection to these tribal groups as they wanted to exert control in some regions in return. In their desperation for peace and safety, many tribal groups accepted this pact and allowed the British to settle disputes on their behalf.
A flag featuring a white and red tri-band along with a 7-pointed star to represent seven sheikdoms was chosen to represent the alliance with the Trucial States. However, the British detached from the pact in 1968 due to heavy financial losses. So, the rulers of Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Umm al-Quwain, Ajman, and Al-Ain came together and declared their independence and established the UAE or the United Arab Emirates. Later, the seventh emirate named Ras Al Khaimah also entered this union. However, the best thing about the achievement of UAE’s merger and independence from British rule is that they were derived an ounce of violence!
To commemorate the unison of their seven emirates and the United Arab Emirates declaration, the flag of UAE was raised, and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was chosen as the UAE’s first president. He raised the new UAE national flag on December 2nd, 1971, with Pan-Arab colors like green, black, red, and white to represent unity. However, only two flags were hoisted in December 1971 to mark the nation’s formation – one in Dubai’s Union House and the other in Abu Dhabi.
Who Was The Designer Of The UAE Flag?
A 19-year-old Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah became the designer behind the UAE flag in 1971. His design emerged as the winning entry amidst 1000 competitors in the competition held by Al Ittihad newspaper to design the UAE flag. Drawing inspiration from the poems of Safiuddin Al Ahli, the young designer used four colors to represent the unity of the Emiratis. He later on became the Foreign Affairs minister of the country. His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan hosted the UAE flag with the new design on December 2nd, 1971.
Emblem of UAE Flag
Only the UAE President is allowed to hoist the country’s flag featuring the falcon emblem. This flag version is also called the UAE presidential flag. Initially, the UAE flag emblem featured a golden hawk flaunting a circular shield on the front in red, featuring an Arab sailboat in white and seven stars. It remained UAE’s official emblem until 2008 before changing the shield’s design to the national flag.
Significance of UAE Flag
The history behind the UAE flag has great significance in influencing its design, mainly the colors with which it is designed. The flag represents Emirati citizens and their values, making the UAE a great nation in terms of success, safety, achievement, peace, and dignity. When hoisted, the UAE flag has red stripes near the pole, and on top lies the green color. Let us know more about the colors used in the UAE flag.
- Red Stripes: The vertically running stripes in red denotes togetherness in unity. This color on the UAE flag denotes courage, strength, bravery and toughness. It also represents the sacrifices made by the previous generations who paved the union’s foundation.
- Green Bar: The UAE flag is designed with green bars to denote the nation’s prosperity, rich natural resources and agricultural heritage.
- White Color: The white color of the UAE flag symbolizes peace and the charitable contributions made by the country.
- Black Stripe: The flag has stripes in black color that denotes power and courage. It also reflects the Emiratis’ strength and their rejection of injustice and extremism.
Why Do We Celebrate UAE Flag Day?
The UAE flag hoisting ceremony occurs on November 3rd each year and precisely at 11 am, the Emiratis pause all their activities to participate in the UAE flag day celebration. The flag-raising function is held across all homes, offices, government buildings, schools, and educational institutions. Every constituent of the UAE community, such as the ministries, private firms, citizens, and institutions, takes part in this national occasion. Across the nation, people sing the national anthem during the UAE flag day activities as a sign of unity and respect. In addition, Emiratis hold several competitions and give speeches about UAE flag day.
Why Is UAE Flag Day Celebrated?
UAE celebrates its flag day on November 3rd, 2013, to honor the day its founder, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the UAE President in 2004. The flag day is celebrated on November 3rd every year based on the order passed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and the Prime Minister of the UAE. However, the UAE flag day is not a public holiday for the Emiratis.
Rules To Hoist The UAE Flag
The country has laid some strict laws for hoisting the UAE flag. They are:
- According to the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, the UAE flag must be rectangular, the colors must be in the right order, and its height should be half of the flag’s width.
- The person owning the flag must maintain it in pristine condition and perform regular checks once every 45 days to assure it is free from damages.
- The flag owner must replace the flag with a new one every six months.
- The same rule applies to government buildings and national embassies with flags hoisted permanently.
- For short-term flag users, the flags must be made out of nylon material and should weigh over 122.5 grams per sq.m.
- Heavy fines and jail terms are penalties for misuse and abuse of the national flag.
- Article 176 states that people who insult the national flag, the president of the national emblem will face detention as punishment.
- Federal Law 2 Article 3 under 1971 states a jail term of up to 6 months for misusing the flag and an adequate amount. It also states that the national flag must be treated with respect and dignity. The flag must not be insulted or kept below any banner or other flags.