ABU DHABI // Emiratis, expats, and visitors braved the traffic, parking and silly-string to gather at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche on National Day.
Thousands of citizens, residents and tourists congregated on the capital’s shores to take in the festive atmosphere as well as the pyrotechnic shows on Wednesday night.
Salim Mohammed, 75, came straight to the water’s edge after a four-hour drive with his family from his hometown, Sohar in northern Oman.
“I come here every National Day. This is also our beloved country, which is home to our children, friends and loved ones,” said the 75-year-old, whose two sons work in the emirate.
Mr Mohammed said he had made the same journey for the past 35 years because the occasion was a great opportunity to celebrate with his Emirati brothers.
With Oman’s national day taking place two weeks ago, Mr Mohammed said the day’s festivities were part of a joyous month.
Another visitor who arrived in the Emirates on the day was Muqbil Al Saaeri, who flew in from the holy city of Mecca.
“I’ve been coming here for 15 years on National Day,” said the 43-year old Saudi.
“Here you find safety, nice people, no one is trying deceive you in any way.”
Having frequented the Northern Emirates during his first decade of travels to the UAE, Mr Al Saaeri said he has not been able to stay away from Abu Dhabi for the past five.
“From how much I love this country I am always looking for an excuse to come here.”
Mustafa Al Awlqi said he was not surprised that so many people came in to celebrate UAE national day from abroad.
“We see people coming in from all over the world – why? Because they hear that is special and they need to see for themselves,” said the 14-year-old Emirati from Al Shamkha.
Having come in with close to 20 relatives he said coming to the Corniche had been a family tradition ever since he could remember.
“You see people from everywhere here. It’s great to see how far we’ve come in 44 years and we’re so proud.”
Mustafa’s uncle, Adil Al Kindi one of the more eccentric members of his family, opted to mark National Day at the corniche by making a light show of his own.
The Emirati aeronautical engineer showed up in a camouflage-patterned kandura fully equipped with flashing LED lights in the colours of the Emirati flag.
“They call me ‘Abu Laytat’ (father of the lights) and I’ve featured at the Gulf Cup as well as CNN,” said the 63-year-old.
Although his blinking national dress was his traditional method of marking National Day, he said it was the first time he had donned a camouflage design.
“Today we are not only celebrating National Day but also what our troops and martyrs have sacrificed for us to enjoy this day.”
Tatiana Mankovsky said she made the journey with her two daughters and 19-year-old son because she loved the multinational aspect of the gathering, a reflection of the country itself.
“It’s the perfect place to get to know different people and learn about other cultures first-hand,” said the Ukrainian, who has lived in Abu Dhabi for close to a decade.
Ms Mankovsky said she had no problem convincing her teenage son to come to the celebrations.
“He loves Abu Dhabi more than me. He told me Abu Dhabi is his city and he speaks Arabic very well.”
She said all his friends from other countries felt the same about the Emirate.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae
