Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid invites the UAE to celebrate Flag Day

Flag Day - which celebrates Sheikh Khalifa's accession as President of the UAE - falls on Sunday

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, attends a Flag Day ceremony at Union House in Dubai in 2018. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has invited the UAE to participate in Flag Day by raising the country's banner on Sunday.

In a tweet, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai called on his "brothers and sisters" to celebrate the day that marks the accession of Sheikh Khalifa as President of the UAE, after his father's death 15 years ago. The holiday has been celebrated every year since 2013.

Flag Day is typically marked with a flag raising ceremony at schools and offices at 11am while the national anthem is heard. The public are also encouraged to decorate their homes and cars with the UAE flag.

"Brothers and sisters .. The people of the UAE celebrate on November 3 the symbol of their union, unity and sovereignty .. We celebrate the UAE flag ... I invite all of our institutions, ministries, bodies and schools to lift it at 11 am that day," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"Together we raise it as a manifestation of our one destiny and our eternal affiliation to the United Arab Emirates."

The flag holds a special place in Emirati culture and is symbol of the country’s unity.

Made up of red, green, white and black rectangles, the colours represent courage, honesty, love and hope. It was designed by Abdullah Al Maainah in 1971 after he saw an advertisement for a flag designing competition in Al Ittihad newspaper.

Strict laws govern how the flag is to be treated. All flags should be made from nylon and weigh more than 122.4 grams per square kilogram.

Flags are to be inspected every 45 days and changed every six months to avoid them from looking worn.