Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed: UAE flag 'an enduring display of national unity'

UAE flag day is celebrated throughout the country today

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Photo: Crown Prince Court Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces said the UAE colours will be flown with pride today – the country's annual flag day.

The UAE flag was created by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, when he was 19, after reading a newspaper article about a contest to design the new nation’s flag.

He was inspired by the poet, Safi-u-ddin Al Hali. The four colours on the flag represent Arab unity, as described in poetry written by Al Hali.

Fifty years later, Sheikh Mohamed said the flag remains "an enduring display of national unity".

"Fifty years ago, a historic design competition was held to choose the flag that would represent our country on the world stage," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

Pupils from GEMS Al Khaleej International School, Al Garhoud, wear colours that match the UAE flag. Antonie Robertson / The National

Pupils also raised UAE flags. Antonie Robertson / The National

Young pupils wave UAE flags. Antonie Robertson / The National

A Dubai Police parade and a flyover by Al Fursan - the Air Force aerobatics demonstration team – are part of planned Flag Day celebrations at the Expo site. Photo: Screengrab from Dubai Media Office live feed

Wearing the green of the UAE flag, pupils get into the festival spirit. Antonie Robertson / The National

GEMS Al Khaleej International School pupils unveil a giant UAE flag. Antonie Robertson / The National

The flag is flown with pride across each of the seven Emirates in an enduring display of national unity. Antonie Robertson / The National

Javier Lopez, left, and Sergio Icardo sealed the first win of the inaugural Dubai Padel Cup. Photo: Dubai Padel Cup

Left to right: Luciana Capra, Juani Mieres Petruf, Javier Lopez and Sergio Icardo. Photo: Dubai Padel Cup

Top left to right: Fernando Poggi and Pablo Lima. Bottom left to right: Javier Garrido Gomez and Gonzalo Rubio Perez. Photo: Dubai Padel Cup

The Ministry of Justice celebrates Flag Day. WAM

The Crown Prince of Fujairah raises the state flag and emphasises the national cohesion experienced by the Emirates. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa raises the flag. WAM

The General Pensions Authority celebrates Flag Day. WAM

The Governor of the Central Bank: Flag Day is an occasion to renew our affiliation and loyalty to the homeland. WAM

Celebrations in Fujairah. WAM

Celebrations in Fujairah. WAM

Celebrations in Fujairah WAM

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority celebrates Flag Day. WAM

The Mother of the Believers Association celebrates Knowledge Day. WAM

Staff at Sharjah Book Fair distribute UAE flags to celebrate flag day. Ruel Pableo / The National

Staff give out UAE flags to celebrate flag day at the Sharjah Book Fair. Ruel Pableo / The National

Emirates Heritage Club celebrates Flag Day. WAM

The Crown Prince of Sharjah attends the celebrations of the Emirate of Sharjah on Flag Day. WAM

Celebrations in Sharjah on Flag Day. WAM

The Crown Prince of Sharjah attends the celebrations. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, attend Expo 2020 on UAE Flag Day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Expo 2020 on UAE Flag Day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Expo 2020 on UAE Flag Day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan attend Expo 2020 on UAE Flag Day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Hundreds of pupils stand together to write the message 'We love UAE' at Gems Wellington Academy in Al Khail on Flag Day. Photo: Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail

Pupils at Gems Wellington Academy on Flag Day. Photo: Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail

Sheikh Ahmed hoists UAE flag at a special ceremony at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The ceremony at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3. Photo: Dubai Media Office

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) celebrates Flag Day. Photo: ADNEC

ADNEC celebrates Flag Day. Photo: ADNEC

Celebrations at ADNEC. Flag Day is observed on the third of November of each year. Photo: ADNEC

Celebrations at ADNEC. Photo: ADNEC

The Dubai Health Authority celebrates UAE flag day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

DEWA celebrates UAE flag day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Celebrations at Dubai Police HQ. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed hoists the flag at Dubai Rulers court in celebration of UAE flag day. Photo: Dubai Media Office

"On the occasion of Flag Day, the UAE flag is flown with pride across each of the seven Emirates in an enduring display of national unity."

UAE flag day was first celebrated in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to celebrate the accession of Sheikh Khalifa as President of the UAE in 2004.

Last week, Sheikh Mohammed urged the public to celebrate this year's flag day, which is just weeks before the UAE’s Golden Jubilee on December 2.

Schools, government offices, businesses and individuals will hang the country’s flag outside their homes and workplaces today.

Flag-raising ceremonies, in which the national anthem is played, will be held to mark the occasion.

Historical flags of the UAE: in pictures

Articles 3 and 4 of the General Treaty of 1819, in which Britain enforced the design of flags flown by the so-called Trucial States.

Recorded in the UK archives in 1958, this is the design for the flag of Abu Dhabi, adopted by the Ruler, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan in 1961

The original flag of Umm Al Quwain, a design created in 1961 by the Ruler, Sheikh Ahmad bin Rashid Al Mualla and submitted to the British Government

A watercolour drawing of the British frigate HMS Vernon in the Arabian Gulf in January 1833, with a local ship flying the traditional red flag of thee region