President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday led tributes to the country, its citizens and residents on National Day, officially known as Eid Al Etihad.
“To the people of the UAE,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X. “On the occasion of Eid Al Etihad, we take pride in the UAE and its people, both citizens and residents.
“Thank you for your determination. Thank you for your efforts. Thank you for all that you do for this nation.”
Eid Al Etihad marks the anniversary of the UAE's foundation.
The national holiday is celebrated annually on December 2, commemorating the UAE's formation in 1971. It marks the day that six emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah – united to form the country, with Ras Al Khaimah joining as the seventh emirate a few months later.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also shared his best wishes.
“On the occasion of our glorious Union Day,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X. “We thank God for the blessings of this dear country, we remember the founders, we celebrate the achievements of the march, we congratulate the people of the Union.
“We renew our loyalty to the President of the Union and the pledge to preserve the gains of the Union, and we motivate the sons to sacrifice their lives to preserve the future of this Union. Every year, may the people of the Emirates be well. Every year, may our people be well. Every year, may our people be in security, safety, prosperity and stability. May God protect the United Arab Emirates.”
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said: “On this day each year, as we celebrate this most cherished national anniversary, we proudly remember those who were resolute in their determination to pursue the path of integrated unity."
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, described it as a "day on which we express our pride in the comprehensive renaissance achieved by the UAE, its honourable leaders, and its dear people, who have transformed it into a unique model of unity and a strong pillar".
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, also issued a message. “Over the years, the unity of the people has been the key to the UAE's strength, with each generation building on the legacy of the one before,” Sheikh Hamad said.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, said the occasion "reminds us of the historic efforts of our founding fathers, whose unity of will and hearts, along with their aspirations for this land and its people, laid the groundwork for a strong and united nation".
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, said: “The anniversary of Eid Al Etihad fills us with pride for a forward-looking nation that has outpaced many others in its progress and development."
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, also issued a message for the occasion, which he said marked "53 years of union, glory, development and progress, in which we witnessed the renaissance of a nation and the story of an immortal union, 53 years that immortalised the biography of our founding fathers and are led today by a wise leadership with a penetrating vision, to shape the future of a persevering and ambitious people".
"We thank God for the blessing of the Emirates and the blessing of the Union, and we congratulate the nation, leadership and people, on the anniversary of the 53rd National Day. May God bring it back to us with goodness, and may the glory of the Emirates last."
The occasion is being marked in the UAE and around the world. On Monday, a number of buildings across Abu Dhabi were illuminated in the colours in the national flag, "reflecting the nation’s spirit of unity and cohesion and the commitment to continue the journey towards a more prosperous future under the banner of the union", according to the emirate's media office.
Hamad Al Neyadi, head of the UAE Relief Mission in Gaza, welcomed participants of the Eid Al Etihad celebrations, while national landmarks in Bahrain were adorned in UAE colours.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
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In Praise of Zayed
A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?
What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.
Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.
History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known
- Roderic Fenwick Owen
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