The UAE's National Day is just around the corner, with citizens and residents encouraged to come together and celebrate 52 years since the founding of the country.
Several official celebrations are set to take place to mark the occasion, with the main event at Expo City Dubai, where the country will host the Cop28 climate change conference.
The National Day organising committee announced plans to stage an official ceremony that will feature “innovative technologies and breathtaking projections” to display the UAE's rich heritage.
Here is all you need to know about the public holiday.
When is National Day?
The UAE's National Day is celebrated on December 2 every year.
It is preceded by Commemoration Day, on November 30, which is dedicated to those who lost their lives serving the country.
Authorities have said December 2, 3 and 4 will be a paid holiday for public and private sector workers.
Why does the UAE celebrate National Day?
The UAE celebrates National Day to commemorate the formation of the country in 1971.
The holiday marks the day that six emirates bound together to form the UAE, with Ras Al Khaimah joining as the seventh emirate the following year.
UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, led efforts to unite the emirates and became the first president.
Sheikh Zayed's son, Sheikh Khalifa, served as president from 2004 until his death in May 2022.
President Sheikh Mohamed was elected that month.
In his first National Day address as President in December last year, Sheikh Mohamed emphasised that the UAE will be a strong supporter of humanity and its development.
“Taking care of our citizens and opening up all avenues of development, creativity and self-affirmation before them has been, and will always remain, our top priority and we will spare no effort to achieve this goal,” Sheikh Mohamed said.
What events are planned for National Day 2023?
Preparations are gathering pace for this year's showpiece ceremony at Expo City Dubai.
The organising committee said the official ceremony will show the UAE's rich heritage through various elements of Sadu weaving, which is to be used to symbolise the “threads of unity and sustainability across history”.
The show will begin at the roots of Emirati culture and heritage and highlight the relationship between tradition and technology.
Through performances and storytelling, the National Day show will tell the UAE’s vision of a sustainable future where the world works together to overcome climate challenges through innovation and collective action.
The official ceremony will be broadcast live on December 2 on all local TV channels, as well as on the official website www.UnionDay.ae
The show will be open to the public from December 5 to 12. Details on tickets will be announced soon, state news agency Wam reported.
Several venues in Abu Dhabi have announced plans to host entertainment and cultural activities on December 2.
The biggest draws every year, however, are awe-inspiring pyrotechnics displays, with shows planned at Al Maryah Island, Yas Bay Waterfront and Al Wathba at the Sheikh Zayed Festival. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is hosting a pyrotechnics and light show on the beach.
How National Day was celebrated in the early years after the UAE was formed – in pictures
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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