![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VE642GIA3YN5SN2CLLTUYWS2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=721e7c06db7f478d5a829e494d614b29efb061b3347698fbf49c45f512110be9&width=400&height=225)
A member of the Armed Forces salutes the flag.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PC3VEO2NKNH5EGHXTX7I2BQL3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=02ac6da2029baefeea0aa96d85a013a04699f41abddf883e4696af9a4bdc7283&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends the Commemoration Day ceremony. Pictured with Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, centre left, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Fujairah, right, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, left. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6TLYGUBQJ2IJHWOK3HUUPR5RXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=47bb8f8a77b4c16d3c24f8a4d77bb8ac4ca5b45c6290bab20d98e73b52f52e8b&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, centre right, with Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XG7PP2JSFOWYPS6TPYRCB7UHO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dbc0b35c5bcd476ec1aeac5c7652b8afea80175e031f73975ff9e9a87bd1ca66&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PTAZSL2QF63CHAN62EPOSKBFRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a23682790320dd40813cad8eaab5de93cae95736179b2955661596b84b64944&width=400&height=225)
Ministries, schools and offices observed a minute’s silence on Thursday to honour Emiratis who have died while serving their country.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5JBTF5H4Q4YTTU4A3TEWL5W7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dda1d51f494a85a8cb15d1287080ae36acffde93d2460536905dc06e53720af&width=400&height=225)
UAE leaders visited Wahat Al Karama for Commemoration Day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YV54V6MVSHKRH2E5DE6JDNAU5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=aa76a9a11459f58640ab26f88bfe9140fc8c9ee24b6c79edff83f6627901cfe4&width=400&height=225)
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.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SSIY6QVIGY6JEDWIX4QGXDYHOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1978bbb5052da814e4cb19c30dfe1c427e9061494a5d3282cf659ace57c88e8c&width=400&height=225)
Ceremonies for Commemoration Day, which usually falls on November 30 but is being marked a day early, took place across the UAE.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4YBUCHQ6GHFFJQ7IKODTZGMSIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=583eba76493d187f83c948d208a3a30ca28c05ec6f9602377a5005e9524f446b&width=400&height=225)
The first Commemoration Day was marked in 2015 on November 30, the same date the UAE lost its first soldier in battle 47 years ago.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GWLXAW2CFWHGHTTHSQXYKQMJXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e62d765e91b8cd7856d45c75d81729905690211a9bca2e6f6ce45941278c595&width=400&height=225)
Guests at the Wahat Al Karama memorial.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZI6VTHXAMZ2M4AGUZCRF3PQ75E.jpg?smart=true&auth=562ad3e59c1c530349a59c9d2dbf491aeaa5a6993d3aa00ff54cf99b5e223bb1&width=400&height=225)
Guests at the Wahat Al Karama memorial.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJSZTG5YWGUVZUF4LVDG7UZG6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=23648a013cc5c7ce6c1888d9489518db25780d2c9d7fe88b7b37ec19018b55b7&width=400&height=225)
Members of the UAE Armed Forces attend the event.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LCOAH5M3WYSGHQU77YFDGMDVNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=582933dc4324b258c508c25a779ddf64974a47001ab0968edd9528d98dfa20d1&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJ2APNDARNZCKTBNIRYORKN2XY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5339f907fbd1b87104bbb55ab9b1bec9b4dd316352af8031555f9233f3698642&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRXKRBDTN4AMY6JWMG2MBC7K34.jpg?smart=true&auth=597cb52d1a46f3b607a0afef8bb3005f55c20cf1cbd38f9adb27382bbfb24852&width=400&height=225)
The 21-gun salute at the Commemoration Day ceremony.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VE642GIA3YN5SN2CLLTUYWS2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=721e7c06db7f478d5a829e494d614b29efb061b3347698fbf49c45f512110be9&width=400&height=225)
A member of the Armed Forces salutes the flag.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PC3VEO2NKNH5EGHXTX7I2BQL3M.jpg?smart=true&auth=02ac6da2029baefeea0aa96d85a013a04699f41abddf883e4696af9a4bdc7283&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends the Commemoration Day ceremony. Pictured with Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, centre left, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Fujairah, right, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, left. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6TLYGUBQJ2IJHWOK3HUUPR5RXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=47bb8f8a77b4c16d3c24f8a4d77bb8ac4ca5b45c6290bab20d98e73b52f52e8b&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, centre right, with Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XG7PP2JSFOWYPS6TPYRCB7UHO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dbc0b35c5bcd476ec1aeac5c7652b8afea80175e031f73975ff9e9a87bd1ca66&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama, Abu Dhabi. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PTAZSL2QF63CHAN62EPOSKBFRQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=3a23682790320dd40813cad8eaab5de93cae95736179b2955661596b84b64944&width=400&height=225)
Ministries, schools and offices observed a minute’s silence on Thursday to honour Emiratis who have died while serving their country.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5JBTF5H4Q4YTTU4A3TEWL5W7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dda1d51f494a85a8cb15d1287080ae36acffde93d2460536905dc06e53720af&width=400&height=225)
UAE leaders visited Wahat Al Karama for Commemoration Day.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YV54V6MVSHKRH2E5DE6JDNAU5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=aa76a9a11459f58640ab26f88bfe9140fc8c9ee24b6c79edff83f6627901cfe4&width=400&height=225)
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.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SSIY6QVIGY6JEDWIX4QGXDYHOQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1978bbb5052da814e4cb19c30dfe1c427e9061494a5d3282cf659ace57c88e8c&width=400&height=225)
Ceremonies for Commemoration Day, which usually falls on November 30 but is being marked a day early, took place across the UAE.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4YBUCHQ6GHFFJQ7IKODTZGMSIU.jpg?smart=true&auth=583eba76493d187f83c948d208a3a30ca28c05ec6f9602377a5005e9524f446b&width=400&height=225)
The first Commemoration Day was marked in 2015 on November 30, the same date the UAE lost its first soldier in battle 47 years ago.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GWLXAW2CFWHGHTTHSQXYKQMJXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e62d765e91b8cd7856d45c75d81729905690211a9bca2e6f6ce45941278c595&width=400&height=225)
Guests at the Wahat Al Karama memorial.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZI6VTHXAMZ2M4AGUZCRF3PQ75E.jpg?smart=true&auth=562ad3e59c1c530349a59c9d2dbf491aeaa5a6993d3aa00ff54cf99b5e223bb1&width=400&height=225)
Guests at the Wahat Al Karama memorial.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IJSZTG5YWGUVZUF4LVDG7UZG6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=23648a013cc5c7ce6c1888d9489518db25780d2c9d7fe88b7b37ec19018b55b7&width=400&height=225)
Members of the UAE Armed Forces attend the event.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LCOAH5M3WYSGHQU77YFDGMDVNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=582933dc4324b258c508c25a779ddf64974a47001ab0968edd9528d98dfa20d1&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJ2APNDARNZCKTBNIRYORKN2XY.jpg?smart=true&auth=5339f907fbd1b87104bbb55ab9b1bec9b4dd316352af8031555f9233f3698642&width=400&height=225)
A Commemoration Day event is held at Wahat Al Karama.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IRXKRBDTN4AMY6JWMG2MBC7K34.jpg?smart=true&auth=597cb52d1a46f3b607a0afef8bb3005f55c20cf1cbd38f9adb27382bbfb24852&width=400&height=225)
The 21-gun salute at the Commemoration Day ceremony.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VE642GIA3YN5SN2CLLTUYWS2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=721e7c06db7f478d5a829e494d614b29efb061b3347698fbf49c45f512110be9&width=400&height=225)
A member of the Armed Forces salutes the flag.
UAE Commemoration Day: Country falls silent to honour its heroes
Ceremonies took place across the Emirates to honour Emiratis who have died while serving their country
![Gillian Duncan](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F736ebb26-e270-44c5-96a2-80452d783888.png?smart=true&auth=6b2c4dc0614f332daaa4e848c41f090496fd16da3ccccaa940132372e6a74710&width=70&height=70)
Gillian Duncan
29 November, 2018
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