UAE leaders pay tribute to nation’s heroes at Wahat Al Karama

A minute's silence was held across the country on Saturday to mark Commemoration Day

UAE Armed Forces honour guard participate in the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (left), Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah (third left), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai (fourth left), Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman (seventh left), Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (11th left), Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah (13th left) and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain (15th left), stand for a group photograph with the families of Martyrs during a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama in 2019. The memorial is dedicated to the memory of UAE’s National Heroes in honour of their sacrifice and in recognition of their heroism. All photos Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces participate in a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

(L-R) Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi; and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stand for a group photograph during the Commemoration Day ceremony in 2019.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presents a medal during the Commemoration Day ceremony to a family member of a serviceman who died in 2019.

(L-R) Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Sheikh Eissa bin Zayed; Sheikh Saif bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed; Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi; , Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama in 2019.

(front L-R) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

(front L-R) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi; Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi; and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla stand for a group photograph during the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Guests attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Members of the UAE Armed Forces participate in a Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla (R); Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi (3rd R); and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi (5th R), stand for a group photograph with the families of martyrs during the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi lay wreaths during the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Staff Brigadier Pilot Ali Mohamed bin Musleh Al Ahbabi, director of the Office of the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (2nd R); Sheikh Mohammed bin Tahnoon, director general of the Security and Ports Affairs at Abu Dhabi Police (3rd R); and members of the UAE Armed Forces attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan speaks with Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi during the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Sheikh Mohamed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi; Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Sharqi; Sheikh Saif bin Mohamed; and Sheikh Issa bin Zayed attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Guests attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid; and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla attend the Commemoration Day ceremony at Wahat Al Karama.

UAE leaders paid tribute to the nation’s heroes on Saturday during a ceremony held at the Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi.

In a statement marking this year’s Commemoration Day, President Sheikh Khalifa highlighted the sacrifices men and women had made in defence of the Emirates.

Other leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also paid their respects.

Commemoration Day is held every year to recognise the dedication and bravery of those serving in both military and civilian roles at home and abroad.

“The biography of the martyrs of the homeland, whose processions have progressed throughout history, will remain immortal in our conscience, and the medals of honour and pride we take,” President Khalifa said.

“On this blessed day, we pay tribute to our valiant sons, soldiers, officers and commanders of our armed forces, who are vigilant in protecting and defending the homeland, and saluting our children across all workplaces inside and outside the country.”

Wahat Al Karama, which translates as Oasis of Dignity, commemorates the sacrifices of all UAE martyrs.

Each year on Commemoration Day, schools and offices across the country observe a minute’s silence to honour those who have lost their lives in the defence of the nation.

At the service at Wahat Al Karama on Saturday evening, Sheikh Mohammed paid his thanks to those serving in the Armed Forces, acknowledging the great work they continued to do every day.

“It’s your wisdom, fortitude and magnanimity that enabled our valiant armed forces to continue to be the protective shield of our homeland,” he said.

"Our martyrs are the sons and grandsons of our nation's icon and the founder of our renaissance, late Sheikh Zayed.

“They are the trustees of his vision, which states that the UAE army is our protective shield that preserves our national unity and accomplishments, and helps our brotherly Arab countries in case of need.”

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed, who was also at the ceremony, said it was the responsibility of every Emirati to continue to cherish and protect the values that the UAE held dear.

“The essential message delivered by the Commemoration Day is for every Emirati to keep sacrificing for his/her homeland by continuing to be loyal to our deeply-rooted principles and values,” he said.

"While bearing witness to every achievement being now made in the UAE, we recall the noble sacrifices made by our martyrs who are all true partners in every accomplishment and step forward we are taking on the right path toward making our dreams come true.”

Also present at Wahat Al Karama on Saturday evening were Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman , Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain.