National Day celebrations along the corniche in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National
National Day celebrations along the corniche in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National

Celebration of a proud and unified nation



A communal sense of pride is palpable as Emiratis and expatriates gather to celebrate National Day – the day that marks the union of the seven emirates of the UAE. On this day it is important that we remember our humble beginnings and the roots of our traditions as we look with increasing confidence to the future.

Today, we remember our Founding Fathers, the late Sheikh Zayed, along with Dubai’s late Sheikh Rashid and the leaders of the other emirates, who recognised that, with the British preparing to leave the region, our futures would be stronger as one. The rulers’ vision that led to the raising of the UAE flag for the first time on December 2, 1971, enshrined the spirit of unity that lives on today.

The UAE celebrates National Day by acknowledging the many achievements of the past, which are reflected in the phenomenal growth we have seen over a short period. We are proud that we have been able to maintain peace and stability in a troubled and volatile region. Our unity has been the engine of our impressive economic and physical growt, which has enabled our country to become a major player in regional and international affairs. Specifically, we are helping to shape the future of the Middle East in a peaceful, tolerant and sustainable manner.

Sheikh Zayed established a country that respects diversity and celebrates unity. As our first President, he pushed for Arab unity and was a great advocate of peaceful dialogue. He supported international cooperation and rejected ideas that could lead to division. We honour him by embracing his example and fulfilling our duties to the nation.

The UAE continues to spread the principles of tolerance and understanding, and to counter destructive extremist ideologies. We continue to welcome people from more than 200 nationalities and invite them to participate in the construction of this great country at the crossroads of the world.

Our economy continues to be ranked among the most competitive. Our diversification plans are succeeding in shifting from a focus on hydrocarbons to other sectors, including the knowledge economy, tourism, clean energy, air and maritime transport, and trade. This is fuelled by our innovative spirit and our open outlook to the future. National Day is a day for fireworks, silly string, parades, high spirits and comraderie; to be thankful for what we have inherited and optimistic about the even brighter future that we will build.

Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.

Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.

The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year

2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)