Why does the UAE celebrate Flag Day and what do the colours stand for?


Dona Cheriyan
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UPDATE: UAE schools and workplaces celebrate Emirati values on Flag Day

Citizens and residents alike will gather on Friday in a show of patriotic pride as the UAE marks its 12th annual Flag Day.

The banner occasion was established in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, to commemorate the accession of the late President Sheikh Khalifa in 2004 and has become a staple of the UAE calendar in the years since.

It is typically marked on November 3, but with the date falling on a Sunday this year, Sheikh Mohammed has called on the public to fly the flag on Friday to ensure as many people as possible can show their support.

Members of the public, ministries, private companies and schools are being invited to raise the flag in unison at 11am. While not a public holiday, it is typically celebrated with greater fervour.

Here, The National looks back at the origins of the event and the rules to know to fly the flag for the Emirates.

History of the UAE flag

Abdullah Al Maainah, who designed the UAE flag, pictured in 2016. Photo: Abdullah Al Maainah
Abdullah Al Maainah, who designed the UAE flag, pictured in 2016. Photo: Abdullah Al Maainah

Abdullah Al Maainah won a competition in Al Ittihad newspaper in 1971 to decide who would have the honour of designing the flag of the new nation. His entry was inspired by the poet, Safi-u-ddin Al Hali.

The young Emirati intended the four colours of green, white, black and red to represent Arab unity, as described in Al Hali's works.

His submission beat more than 1,000 entries to be selected to represent the new nation. Mr Al Maainah was 19 at the time and later went on to become the minister of foreign affairs.

Two flags were raised in December 1971 to mark the formation of the nation – one in Abu Dhabi, the other at Union House in Dubai. The flag was flown at the UN headquarters in New York on December 10, 1971.

What do the colours of the flag stand for?

The flag’s four colours – known as the pan-Arab colours – each represent a different attribute. White stands for good deeds and generosity, green for growth and prosperity, black for strength, resilience and courage and red embodies the sacrifices made by previous generations of Emiratis in defence of the nation.

Rules for flag display

The UAE has strict rules in place for the display of the UAE flag periodically updated and distributed by authorities. The Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority has a detailed guidebook available online on how to display the flag indoors and outdoors, and what is prohibited.

Here are some of the rules in place to preserve the integrity of the national flag:

  • The flag should be printed on durable, high-quality and matte fabric only which should be either polyester or 100 per cent nylon
  • When displaying flags indoors, the base can be gold, silver or wooden. The flag must not touch the ground or base and must be at least 20-25cm from the base
  • No additional decorations can be added to the flag and no other flag should be on the same pole
  • The flag should be regularly checked for damage, at least once in 45 days. If damaged to any extent, it must be replaced immediately
  • When hanging in streets or on buildings, the flag should hang vertically with the red part up and the other three parts facing down so the viewer sees it vertically from every direction
  • Damaged flags may be recycled by disintegrating their parts so that they no longer represent the shape of the flag, nor indicate its previous representation
  • Do not place any logos, designs or drawings on the UAE flag. The only exception is when the UAE emblem is displayed in the white area and represents the UAE President’s Flag
  • The flag shape and colours should only be displayed as intended and not used on decorative elements or altered to fit such purposes. Examples include balloons, logos and typography
  • The flag must not be printed on any disposable materials such as pillows, napkins or boxes and it is prohibited to print the UAE flag on edible items including cakes or sweets, or wrappers for such food items
  • The flag or any elements of it must not be used as a trademark or part of a trademark for advertising purposes without prior permission.
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

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Paraguay
Japan
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USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
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Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
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Group D

Brazil
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Innotech Profile

Date started: 2013

Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari

Based: Muscat, Oman

Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies

Size: 15 full-time employees

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now. 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to vote

Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.

They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi

Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday) 

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Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)

Third-place play-off: New Zealand v Wales, Friday, 1pm

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
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About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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In The Heights

Directed by: Jon M. Chu

Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda

Rating: ****

War and the virus
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Squad

Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas) 

EXPATS
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Updated: November 01, 2024, 12:02 PM`