Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
The "Proud of the UAE" campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has prompted a strong response from residents, with families across neighbourhoods raising the national flag and describing it as a symbol of pride, belonging and loyalty to the country.
From senior citizens to children, residents and tourists, people across the country came together under the same flag in a clear display of solidarity that defines the UAE community.
In residential areas, families raised the UAE flag above their homes, while children handed out flags in the streets, beaming with pride. Residents from a variety of backgrounds also participated, sharing them with passersby as a sign of appreciation for the country they now call home.
Mohammed Al Ali, a resident of Bani Yas, said he had long made a point of raising the UAE flag during national occasions, but this campaign made him think about what the country represents in daily life, from security and stability to opportunity and social cohesion.
"It felt different during this campaign, as though I were sending a personal message to my nation. When I see it flying high, the flag makes me feel incredibly proud and appreciative of everything this country has given us in terms of security, stability and opportunity," he told Aletihad.
"This flag is more than simply a piece of cloth; it represents a unified people and aspirational leadership. I feel like I'm a part of an incredible success story that we can all be proud of every time it waves over my house."
Al Ali, who described himself as part of the generation that witnessed the country's early years, said that raising the flag also brought back memories of the Union and the UAE's rise into a country with global standing.
He also wanted to share that moment with his children and grandchildren, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the country's achievements and what it means to protect them.
"As senior citizens, we were present during the Union's early years and experienced the UAE's transformation into a globally recognised leader. For me, raising the flag is a means to relive those wonderful moments and reaffirm my allegiance and sense of community. In order to instil in my children and grandchildren a profound love for the nation and the significance of preserving its accomplishments, I also make sure they witness this event," Al Ali said.
Umm Khalfan, also from Bani Yas, said that the flag holds a special meaning at home. As a mother, she explained, seeing it raised above the house always reminds her of the stability the UAE has brought to families around the country over the years.
"As a mother, I feel a deep sense of pride when I see the UAE flag raised above our home. It stands for the security and steadiness we encounter on a daily basis. The flag reminds me of our nation's modest beginnings and how it has evolved into a role model for others," she told Aletihad.
Umm Khalfan added that she always reminds her children that the flag carries the story of the nation, including its progress and the sacrifices behind it.
"Teaching my kids the significance of this flag, that it is more than just a symbol but a tale of accomplishments and sacrifices, is something I constantly prioritise. We sense one heart and one spirit when we get together around it," she said. "Raising the flag, in my opinion, is a silent prayer for the UAE's ongoing security and prosperity."
Emirati citizen Umm Aliaa said that the campaign serves as a daily expression of pride in her country and confidence in its leadership, and offers people a simple but meaningful way to express that feeling publicly.
"As an Emirati citizen, I see the decision to raise the flag above every home as a renewed message of pride and pride every day," she told Aletihad.
Umm Aliaa added that her belief in the UAE's direction has only grown stronger over time, along with her sense of pride in belonging to the nation.
"We are proud of the UAE and our faith in its leaders because they have conquered obstacles with fortitude, resilience and tenacity," she said." With every day that goes by, our pride in being a part of it and our faith in our astute leadership only deepen."
