Spectacular Hatta show caps day to remember as the UAE turns 50

As the sun set over the Hajar mountains, the darkening skies lit up with the UAE’s birthday celebrations.

December 2 marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the UAE.

The anniversary was celebrated across the seven emirates and by their millions of residents who come from many different faiths, races, cultures and nations.

Today, we are all Emiratis

Bob Michael Orok,
worker from Nigeria

Broadcast live from Hatta Lake, the 50th National Day Celebration was a fitting extravaganza for a country that often goes above and beyond.

The evening opened with the sound of drums rolling across the waters and reverberating through the peaks. From high in the hills came the sound of the nadba, the ancient cry of greeting of the Shihuh, the tribe whose home is the mountains of the Northern Emirates.

Down below was a wonder that seemed to defy the laws of physics: a lake floating on a lake — the man-made stage for the hour-long show.

Watching in the audience were the UAE's 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, both of whom could be seen at times recording the spectacle on their mobile phones.

And there was plenty to capture, beginning with a huge, circular, rotating stage that also served as a projection screen and was entirely surrounded by water.

The theme of the evening was the progress of the UAE from the earliest days, beginning with the transformation of the stage into a Deirat Al-Duroor Wa Al-Tawala’a, the centuries-old Islamic astronomical calendar used to predict the seasons through the movement of the stars.

As cascades of drones recreated the heavens, the show next paid tribute to some of the women who had played an important role in the UAE's history.

Sheikha Hessa bint Al Murr Al Falasi, grandmother of Sheikh Mohammed, who was famous for her philanthropy, and Hamama bint Obaid Al Teneji, a healer known for her use of tradition herbal medicines.

Sheikh Mohammed seemed to be visibly moved when tribute was also paid to his mother, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation.

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, attend the event. Photo: Screengrab from video

Technology recreated famous figures of the past, with a hologram of the seven leaders who formed the UAE and footage of an emotional Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, addressing his people with the promise: “I assure you and pledge my sincerity and earnestness in everything I do for our citizens, nation, children and brethren.”

About 140 performers from all over the world were recruited for the show, which had taken around 1.5 million man hours and more than 1,400 people to organise.

After the singing of the national anthem, three young girls read letters to their future selves, expressing their hopes. Today they are Nora Al Matrooshi, the first Arab woman to train to be an astronaut; Maitha Bu Ghunoom, an environmentalist, and Tufool Al Nuami, a data scientist.

The evening concluded with a spectacular display that included dancing fountains on the lake and fireworks, some launched by about 400 pyrotechnic drones.

Across the rest of the emirates, crowds gathered to watch firework displays and take part in celebrations that included a free day at Expo 2020.

In his message to the country, Sheikh Mohamed said that as the UAE prepared to enter its next 50 years that “we face the future with confidence, pride and a shared spirit of unity and determination".

He added: “We continue to draw lessons from the wisdom of our ancestors and take strength and inspiration from the courage and sacrifices of our martyrs.

“Our unity remains our single greatest source of strength and we believe that a secure, stable and robust country is best equipped to enjoy continued progress.”

The excitement and pleasure shown at the UAE’s Golden Jubilee is reflected in the diversity of the country 50 years after its birth, as also noted by Sheikh Mohamed in his National Day message.

“Expatriate residents have been an essential part of our journey and we remain open to all who wish to bring their energy, talent and creativity to our shores to help create a brighter future for all.”

Bob Michael Orok, a worker from Nigeria who was enjoying his first National Day, voiced a similar belief.

“Today we are all Emiratis,” he said.

The best photos from National Day — in pictures

Cryopreservation: A timeline

Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
Ovarian tissue surgically removed
Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months

RESULTS

Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham

Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate

Final: June 1, Madrid

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank