Read also: When is UAE's 50th National Day and what celebrations are taking place?
Flags, stickers and large "50" signs: Abu Dhabi's revved up residents are going all in for National Day.
As the UAE gears up for its Golden Jubilee celebrations on December 2, it is the little decals that matter.
Hundreds of cars are pulling up to accessories’ shops to show their love for the country's leaders and colours as the nation turns 50.
Mussaffah, where many of the shops are based, has been turned into a sea of red, white and green as the countdown to National Day has begun.
They took us to Mars and beyond. How could we not celebrate?
Hassan Al Maazmi
“It has been very busy,” said Aktaruzzaman Chudhuwry, co-owner of Al Wafi car accessories’ shop.
“We have at least 100 cars coming in every day.”
Lined up on the walls of the shop are huge posters of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed and President Sheikh Khalifa, which have been printed for customers.
Alongside them are images of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, custom-designed to read “thank you” and “seeing you is a nation’s joy".
Other design transfers – or decals – in demand this year are stickers of the number 50 to mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee.
“Customers are mostly asking for ‘year of the 50’ stickers," said Mr Chudhuwry. "These are very popular."
Parked outside is a Nissan Patrol Nismo with that exact slogan on its windscreen.
“It’s a very special year,” Emirati Omar Al Muharrami tells me from the driver’s seat. “Exceptional, even.”
The 25 year old is visiting the shop with his two friends, who are all getting their cars ready for the festivities.
“We’re very excited for this National Day,” they said. “We’re celebrating 50 years of achievements and accomplishments.
Their newly decorated vehicles will be paraded around the capital on Thursday as part of annual celebrations.
Even though motoring makeovers have long been a National Day ritual in the UAE, car shops say they’ve had more customers this year than ever before. Celebrations are also more joyous this year after the Covid-19 pandemic subdued public events in 2020.
Fazil Hamza, owner of the Tornado shop, said this year’s numbers were a record.
“We’ve had so many people come in," said Mr Hamza. "We expected a rush for National Day but not like this.”
Behind him, three employees were plastering a large UAE flag to the side of a car, while another was waiting in turn. National Day rules are followed and cars can be decorated with appropriate words and the UAE flag as long as it does not obstruct the view of the driver or endanger others.
“The flag is as big as my love for this country and what it’s done for us,” said Emirati Hazza Al Nuaimi, 23.
“It’s the least we can do to show our appreciation.”
For Hassan Al Maazmi, 47, the Golden Jubilee celebrations are a time for joy.
“I’ve been decorating my car ever since I got my licence and I will continue to do it in the coming years,” he said.
While he holds every National Day dear to his heart, he believes the UAE’s 50th year is a milestone that must be honoured.
“What we’ve done in 50 years has not been achieved anywhere in the world,” said Mr Al Maazmi.
“They took us to Mars and beyond and this is just the start. How could we not celebrate?”
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Friday, January 12: Six fourball matches
Saturday, January 13: Six foursome (alternate shot) matches
Sunday, January 14: 12 singles
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Rating: 4 / 5
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Watch live
The National will broadcast live from the IMF on Friday October 13 at 7pm UAE time (3pm GMT) as our Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi moderates a panel on how technology can help growth in MENA.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Manchester City 1 Sheffield United 0
Man City: Jesus (9')
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
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Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
