Everyone has their own memories of National Day. But what connects them all is a sense of pride and pleasure.
Pride in the creation of the nation and the pleasure in sharing its progress. These feelings are felt by all ages and every generation, from those who marched in front of the late founding President, Sheikh Zayed, to younger Emiratis who remember his visits to their school as children.
Each passing National Day revives these memories, but also brings anticipation for what is to come, as the country moves through its fifth decade.
Mitya Underwood, Bushra Alkaff Al Hashemi and Rym Ghazal spoke to Emiratis and recorded their impressions
Ali Ebdowa
Ali Ebdowa, the executive chef at Mezlai, the Emirati restaurant at the Emirate’s Palace, remembers his 1988 National Day celebrations
“When I was younger we used to make a big flag and go around dancing. We would make food for everyone, it was very joyous,” he says.
“In 1988 it was my first National Day with a brand-new car. It was in the time of Sheikh Zayed. My grandmother had bought me a grey Honda. It my first brand new car. I loved it.
“I got it just before National Day so I put a flag from the front of the car all the way to the back. I made a round hole in the windscreen at the front and back so I could see. I had my friends in the car and we opened the sunroof, it was very joyous for us.”
Mr Ebdowa’s car collection has expanded and changed in the past 20 years — his garage is now home to a modern muscle car, a Cadillac and a Mercedes CLS63.
But, he says: “I will remember my Honda always. For a long time I kept saying ‘I need a car, I need a car’, I had a second-hand car but every day it was in the garage. I will remember that National Day forever.”
Ali Al Sayed
Ali Al Sayed, a comedian and artist from Dubai, remembers seeing his hero, Sheikh Zayed, as part of a National Day celebration when he was eight or nine.
“Going to Abu Dhabi to see the lights in the colours of the flag was one of my favourite things ever.
“We left for what used to be a very long drive to the capital. We would be fascinated to see the tall buildings and the light decorations. In the middle of all that, there was a string of cars rushing through Airport Road, guarding a couple of limousines. All the adults in our car shouted ‘that’s baba Zayed’.
“I was so excited to even see his car pass by, I felt like I had met him. That is one of my fondest memories on National Day, because that was the closest I had ever been to the Man, the Leader, our inspiration that we all looked up to and still do to this day.”
Mr Al Sayed, sometimes dubbed Dubai’s first local comedian, is co-director of Dubomedy Arts and was named as one of the world’s most influential comedians by Toastmasters International Magazine in 2011.
He will spend this year’s National Day in the US after performing a gig at the UAE Embassy in Washington on November 29.
“But technically I will still be with other Emiratis, so I will still be home in some ways.”
Fatima Bin Hadher
Fatima Bin Hadher, a grandmother from Abu Dhabi, remembers the pomp and circumstance of the National Day graduation of the first batch of graduates from the Al Ain Zayed II Military College in 1972.
“There was a big parade in the Corniche area from the Khubarah Fort to the area of the ‘Dhahar’ in Al Bateen,” she says.
“We saw Sheikh Zayed from the distance with all the army and many horses, flags and the camels.
“They arranged a place for the Sheikhas to watch and we were there with them.
“It was in the times where there wasn’t a lot near the Corniche like today.”
Hana Bint Salem
Hana Bint Salem, an Emirati businesswoman from Abu Dhabi, remembers Sheikh Zayed touring her school and spending time speaking to the teachers and students.
“I remember well our school celebrations in 1981. I was in the only girls’ secondary school in Abu Dhabi, Um Ammar School.
“Our celebrations were humble ones but there was with great joy that filled the hearts of everyone in the school.
“Sheikh Zayed used to come to us, go around the classes and talk to every one, students, and teachers even the cleaners.”
“And the main goal for all was to go to him, shake his hand and greet him.
“When he came we never felt that he was a president, but a father and this is the way he treated us.
“I remember his words, it used to amaze me to notice that everything he said was with great value. His words were to be weighed with gold.
“We would wear our uniforms, or simple dresses from silk or those with the UAE flag prints.
“I remember the flags were everywhere and the celebrations always had different programs – every year a different one.
“Later at the end, I remember we followed Sheikh Zayed to his car and followed him until we would not be able to see him.”
Yahya Mohamed Saleh
“Back in the day I remember the celebrations used to be much smaller,” says Yahya Mohamed Saleh, 28, a financial analyst.
“The best part of it was when I was in grades five, six and seven when we used to have a whole day dedicated to sports on National Day.
“We had a whole day off lessons. I was quite competitive and I was really into my football so it was a great day for me.”
Mr Saleh now lives near Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, which becomes a continuous stretch of celebrations on December 2. Thousands of decorated cars drive up and down the street, blaring horns and music.
For a less hectic party, Mr Saleh and his friends usually travel to the desert to celebrate.
“We like to have a barbecue and celebrate and relax. There’s nice weather and it’s very quiet.”
Ahmed Arshi
Ahmed Arshi, 31, a writer and filmmaker from Abu Dhabi, remembers when the National Day celebrations started weeks in advance of the December 2 date.
“The National March was the most important event and they would take us in school buses to rehearse our steps; when we walk and how we walk for the march along Khaleej Al Arabi street.
“There was no internet, no mobile phones, so this was a huge activity, even if just walking.
“You get to walk in front of His Highness, the late Sheikh Zayed. He would sit on open seating near where Capital Gate hotel is now.”
The streets, he remembers, would be marked to show people where to march. This was before it was one of the Emirate’s major highways.
“We see the army, the horses, the tanks, it was an adventure. When we walked in front of Sheikh Zayed, we waved at him. It was us seeing our father.
“I am looking forward to the 50th anniversary.
“Hopefully we can witness the 100th anniversary, and we can see our great grandchildren celebrating. We will be in our 90s, and probably in wheelchairs. But we will celebrate it nonetheless.”
Taha Al Ajami
Taha Al Ajami, 35, produces national songs to mark December 2, which he distributes to radio and television stations.
“What I miss the most is seeing people dance traditional dances, like the girls’ hair dance, where they throw their hair about. I just liked how everyone would just get into the moment and dance and sing. Now it is more organised.
“Either way, I will be celebrating this National Day with a new set of songs that will be broadcast across the country. “
Samira Al Nuaimi
Mother-of-five Samira Al Nuaimi, 39, from Al Ain, says having her extended family around is the most important ingredient for a successful National Day celebration.
For the teacher, who works at the Emirates College for Advanced Education, having nine siblings and dozens of cousins meant her house was always full on December 2.
“There is a lot of things I remember from when I was a kid from National Day, it was a very big day for everyone. In Al Ain it was different to Abu Dhabi, there was not a lot of buildings and everyone went out to see each other.
“We always decorated our houses, not just the outside but also the inside, with our families. I did this when I was young. It was a favourite time of year. Everyone would come round and we would make food and decorate.”
Now a mother of five, Mrs Al Nuaimi tries to keep some of the traditions alive – starting with the National Day costumes.
“Me and my sisters always dressed up when we were young. Now I do the same. We prepare it early. Even in the summer we are already thinking about how we will design our dresses. We have to be creative with our celebrations.”
