ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
All institutions in the UAE, both public and private, unite in raising the national flag at 11am on Friday to mark the UAE Flag Day, a cherished occasion celebrating the spirit of unity, solidarity, national belonging, and the loyalty of its people to the state and its wise leadership.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, adopted Flag Day as a national occasion in 2012 to celebrate the UAE flag as a symbol of the country’s exceptional achievements and to ensure that the flag is a source of pride and identity.
Prior to the national occasion on Wednesday, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, called on all ministries and institutions to raise the national flag at the same time, 11am on November 1.
In a post on X, His Highness said: “We celebrate the symbol of our country, the secret of our strength, and the source of our pride: the flag of the United Arab Emirates.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid added: “All sons of the nation are invited to participate in this occasion. Flag Day is an expression of love for the nation, loyalty to the flag, and our renewed determination to keep the flag of our union flying high, expressing the pride, glory and dignity of the United Arab Emirates.”
The UAE Flag Day coincides with the upcoming celebrations of “Martyrs’ Day” and the “Union Day”, a time when patriotic spirit unites all segments of society with flags flying high in every corner of the country.
The occasion is marked with a set of guidelines which include procedures such as keeping flags flying at full mast and preventing any harm or disrespect of the flag by maintaining proper care.
UAE Flag History
On December 2, 1971, the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan officially raised the UAE flag for the first time, declaring the independence and sovereignty of the then newly established United Arab Emirates. The flag is always accompanied by the national anthem.
The UAE flag reflects the aspirations and values of its people and represents the nation on all occasions.
The late Sheikh Zayed enacted Federal Law No. 2 on December 2, 1971, concerning the UAE flag, followed by the Cabinet issuing Decision No. (5) of 1996 regarding the rules for raising the national flag, which regulates how individuals and institutions should treat it according to the highest standards of propriety.
A Peek into History
The story of the national symbol can be traced back to a competition announced in Aletihad newspaper to design the flag. Abdullah Mohammed Al-Muaina won the contest for the best design out of 1,030 submissions, with six designs chosen for the preliminary round. The current shape of the flag was ultimately selected. Al-Muaina received a cash prize of Dh4,000.
Meaning and Symbolism of ColoursThe colours of the national flag represents the UAE’s cherished values: white represents goodwill and giving, the state’s approach to supporting security and peace worldwide; green symbolises growth, prosperity, and the environment; black reflects the strength and resilience of the citizens and their rejection of injustice; and red indicates the sacrifices made by the previous generation to establish the union, as well as the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs to protect its achievements.
Design of the UAE Flag
The UAE flag is rectangular, divided into four equal horizontal sections. The top rectangle is green, the middle is white, the bottom is black, and its length is double its width. The vertical rectangle on the left is red, and if the flag is raised vertically, red is at the top and green is on the right.
Usage Guidelines
The guideline for the use of the national flag, approved by the Cabinet, includes several recommendations for its care. The flag should always be clean and ironed, replaced periodically to maintain its colours and appearance, and changed if it is torn, damaged, or discoloured. It should be inspected before being raised each time.
The guidelines emphasise the need to check the flag’s condition after severe storms or weather changes, and it should be folded after official events. Strong, durable fabric that can withstand different weather conditions (extreme heat, high humidity, sandstorms, and rain) should be used, avoiding natural silk. The materials approved for making flags for official use in government entities are specified by the General Authority for Standards and Metrology. The fabric must allow the flag to flutter in the wind.
Flag Poles
Each emirate in the UAE has a dedicated flagpole. The flagpole in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated in 2007, with a flag measuring 30 metres long and 15 metres wide, flying atop a pole 123 metres tall along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Dubai features the Union Flag pole, where the flag flies at 120 metres above the building that witnessed the announcement of the birth of the Union at the Union House (Hospitality Palace).
In Sharjah, the Island of the Flag features a pole 123 metres tall, displaying the national flag as the tallest in the emirate and the seventh tallest in the world. The project is located opposite government buildings in Sharjah and includes green spaces for recreation, an open theatre, and an art exhibition.
In Ajman, the flagpole stands at 120 metres high in the Chamber of Commerce Park in Al-Jurf area, fluttering proudly in the emirate’s sky. In Fujairah, the national flag flies near Mohammed bin Zayed City on a pole 120 metres tall, with the flag measuring 30 metres by 15 metres and a circular base with a diameter of 60 metres.
In Umm Al Quwain, coinciding with the state’s 42nd National Day celebrations, a 120-metre flagpole was inaugurated at Al-Khor Park. In the same year, Ras Al Khaimah also launched a 120-metre flagpole along the Khor in the Qawasim Corniche.
Nationwide Celebrations
Preparations were made well in advance by all entities nationwide. The national occasion is marked with festive fervour with the UAE flag being raised during ceremonies hosted by government and private organisations. Families gather in homes to raise the flag high at 1lam, symbolizing pride and the values of unity and citizenship.