ABU DHABI // Nasser Al Junaibi celebrated Flag Day – even though he was thousands of miles away from his Abu Dhabi home.
Mr Al Junaibi hung the UAE flag from his home in Tempe, Arizona, where he is living while studying computer engineering at Arizona State University.
“I feel like we are very fortunate to have the opportunities that our country gave us,” he said.
Although living in the US Mr Al Junaibi was determined to join Emiratis and expatriates in the UAE in celebrating their patriotism by displaying the country’s flag.
Flags could be seen across the capital, hanging off balconies, villas and Government buildings.
Hearing that he had received a scholarship and was being paid to study “sounds insane” to people in the US, said Mr Al Junaibi, whose roommate is also Emirati.
“We are extremely blessed and that made me even more patriotic about our country,” he said.
“Although we’re miles away, we’re still missing Abu Dhabi.”
The flag also helped people in his neighbourhood, which he said had barely any residents from the Middle East, learn about the UAE, said Mr Al Junaibi. “My neighbour asked me the other day where I am from,” he said. “He didn’t know about the United Arab Emirates.”
Though he was less homesick than in his first year, having the flag raised made him feel a bit closer to home, he said. “I just wanted to express how grateful I am ... and everything that’s happened for me, thanks to my country,” said Mr Al Junaibi.
Tariq bin Shamis, 29, coordinated with a neighbour to hang UAE flags across their homes.
The period from November 3 to December 2, National Day, was a time to celebrate the UAE, he said. “So every day, every hour, we are just celebrating what we have accomplished in all these years,” he said.
Sunday was a reminder for people in the UAE about the passing of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed, when the country “lost a great leader”, said Mr bin Shamis. But it was also a reminder that Sheikh Khalifa, the President, was following his father.
“This day, it is special for us,” said Mr bin Shamis. “It is a small payback for this country and for our leaders.”
Even expatriates living and working in the country “share the same feeling with us”, he said.
“I was wondering and looking at them celebrating and smiling,” he said. “It’s not just us locals, it’s also expats.”
Schools in Abu Dhabi also recognised the holiday.
“We played the national anthem several times throughout the day today, and we also decorated the school with numerous UAE flags, and our pupils were informed about the relevance,” said Elaine Rawlings, acting head of British School Al Khubairat school.
Dr Kamilah Khatib, an expatriate in the UAE for a year and a half, watched the celebrations from where she worked at the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi.
The national anthem played throughout the building, and staff assembled for a ceremony around the flag.
“It was cool, actually,” said Dr Khatib, 33, an Italian-Palestinian. “It was really nice. A lot of people were very proud. Everybody was rushing down. I had goosebumps.”
lcarroll@thenational.ae