In a touching tribute to UAE history before National Day on December 2, Dubai’s ruling family released a new family portrait on Monday.
In a post on a Twitter, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared a painting that captures three generations of the Maktoum family.
The painting shows Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sitting with his sons Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, below a framed picture of his late father and one of the founding fathers of the UAE, Sheikh Rashid.
Simply captioned “generations’ pride”, the artwork was released less than two weeks before the UAE celebrates its 50th anniversary.
On December 2, 1971, the Rulers of six emirates came together to form the UAE.
They met at Union House in Dubai, led by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid, where they raised the new national flag for the first time, marking the birth of the country.
The image of the six rulers with the flag behind them is well known. Ras Al Khaimah joined the union weeks later, in February 1972, completing the UAE as it is known today.
Key moments in the UAE's 50 years - in pictures
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Egyptian singer Najat Al Saghira performs in Abu Dhabi for the 1972 National Day celebrations, which saw the first performance of the UAE national anthem. Photo: Al Ittihad -
The first Gulf Co-operation Council meeting at the InterContinental hotel in Abu Dhabi in 1981. Photo: Al Ittihad -
Passengers board the inaugural Emirates flight in 1985. Photo: Emirates -
Founding Father Sheikh Zayed flanked by Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip before a lunch at the Hilton hotel in Abu Dhabi in February 1979. Getty Images -
The UAE national football team during a training session at Imola in Italy before the World Cup first-round matches in May 1990. AFP -
Jerry Bailey on Cigar celebrates after edging out Soul of the Matter to win the $4 million Dubai World Cup race in in March 1996. Horse of the Year Cigar claimed the $2.4 million first prize with its 14th consecutive victory. Allsport -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces at the time, joins Emirati officers during a training session in Canjuers, southern France, in July 1999, before their deployment in Kosovo. AFP -
Leaders and officials at funeral prayers for Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, at Abu Dhabi's Sultan bin Zayed Mosque on November 3, 2004. AFP -
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's ruling family, returns to Dubai in August 2004 after winning a historic first gold medal during the Athens Olympics in the men's double trap shooting. AFP -
Fans watch second practice round action from the main grandstand at Etihad Airways Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit, on October 30, 2009. Stephen Lock / The National -
Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building, lit by fireworks at the opening ceremony on January 4, 2010. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the building, which is 828 metres tall. AFP -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during a moment of silence at a Commemoration Day flag-raising ceremony at Wahat Al Karama, November 20, 2016. Photo: Crown Prince Court -
Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri before boarding a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station in September, 2019. EPA
