UAE leaders mark Commemoration Day at Wahat Al Karama - in pictures

The rulers observed a moment of silence to pray for the country’s heroes

Members of the UAE Armed Forces participate in a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama. All photos by Ministry of Presidential Affairs

UAE Rulers approach the memorial to lay wreaths.

UAE Rulers walk as a military band plays.

Ministries, schools and offices observed a minute’s silence on Thursday to honour Emiratis who have died while serving their country.

Ceremonies for Commemoration Day, which usually falls on November 30 but is being marked a day early, took place across the UAE.

Right to Left - Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Defence, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, observe a moment of silence during a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Maj Gen Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Chairman of the National and Reserve Service Authority (first row, third right), Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohamed, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces (first row fourth right), Brig Gen Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Ameri, Commander of the UAE Ground Forces (1st row fifth right) and members of the UAE Armed Forces and foreign armed forces representatives attend a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces participate in the Commemoration Day ceremony.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces perform a twenty-one gun salute.

The day began with the lowering of the national flag at 8am.

A minute’s silent prayer was observed from 11.30am to 11.31am, which was followed by the raising of the flag and the national anthem.

Martyrs families attend a Commemoration Day ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed later said that "their memory will remain in out consciousness" and their relatives "at the heart of the nation".

Members of the UAE Armed Forces hold a minute silence

Soldiers then marched to the rulers and handed them decorations of honour to hand to ten martyrs’ families, as jets performed a fly-by.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces perform a twenty-one gun salute.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and the rulers of the emirates marked Commemoration Day at Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces said that "their memory will remain in out consciousness" and their relatives "at the heart of the nation".

Elsewhere, ministries, schools and offices observed a minute’s silence on Thursday to honour Emiratis who have died while serving their country.

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