Abu Dhabi residents came out in force on Friday night to belt out the UAE national anthem in support of the country's healthcare workers.
The impassioned renditions of the anthem were sung from balconies and blared from passing cars as people answered a call to show solidarity with the UAE's efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Little's ( 2 & 5) saluting their Father ( Medic of #Dubai #Ambulance) after his today's duty....#TogetherWeChantForUAE #UAE #UAENationalAnthem #IshyBilady pic.twitter.com/jtOYdcp1ek
— Tomas Kurian (@kurian_tomas) April 17, 2020
The initiative was proposed by Maitha bin Ahmed Al Nahyan Foundation, the Dopamine Foundation for Happiness and Positivity and Abu Dhabi Police as an expression of gratitude for the country's leadership and healthcare workers.
Children were some of the most common sights in videos posted to social media of people partaking in the event, as they waved flags and chanted from their balconies.
Toady at our balcony playing UAE National Anthem #UAENATIONALANTHEM #Covid_19 #covid19uae #UAE #9pm salute to #CoronaWarriors #Dubai #UAE pic.twitter.com/szXkum6vDC
— Diwakar Bhojwal (@DiwakarBhojwal) April 17, 2020
#Uae #UAE national anthem..❤️ #Dubai #shiekhamdam we love DUBAI..from filipino community.. pic.twitter.com/or02HybALL
— celeste (@celeste70864197) April 17, 2020
However, Abu Dhabi Police also got in on the action, driving slowly through neighbourhoods in the capital, sirens lit up and anthem blaring from speakers.
The gesture aimed to show workers on the front lines of defence against Covid-19 how much their work is appreciated. They include disinfection campaign workers, police officers, supermarket staff and medics.
It's a slight variation on the usual 8pm cheer for healthcare workers, which has become a nightly staple across the UAE and much of the world.
Abu Dhabi today singing the national anthem! God Bless the UAE ❤️🥰 #AbuDhabi #UAE #الامارات pic.twitter.com/oXSpvR9oJ9
— Ayah Muk (@ayahmuk) April 17, 2020
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