Abu Dhabi, Dubai: The UAE stood in remembrance of the fallen heroes of the country on Thursday morning by lowering the nation’s flag and observing a moment of silence.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Thursday joined citizens and residents in a minute of silence at the Oasis of Dignity (Wahat Al Karama) to mark Commemoration Day.
Shaikh Mohammad prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the souls of the martyrs in paradise and bestow his mercy upon them. He also prayed to Allah Almighty to save and spare the nation from any evil and harm to continue its blessed march under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“We all, across the nation, stand to honour and respect our righteous martyrs who with their heroism and sacrifices have become the beating of our hearts. They have not left us but still present in the memory of every home,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“We stand with pride in honour of our martyrs’ sacrifices, recalling their good deeds and achievements and what their heroic deeds have done, which will provide the generations to come with lessons and push them to preserve and follow the heritage of the martyrs,” Shaikh Mohammad added.
The minute of silence was observed as a gesture to express pride and gratitude for the sacrifices of the UAE martyrs.
Leaders, Emiratis and residents across the country observed the one-minute silence and offered a silent prayer at 11.30am as a solemn mark of respect for the brave sons of the UAE who gave their lives in the service of the nation. Flags across the UAE were flown at half-mast from 8am, and were raised again at 11.31am as the national anthem was played in the background.
Those participated in the minute of silence alongside Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed included Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Shaikh Saeed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative; Lt-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as well as other shaikhs and senior officials.
At Dubai’s Etihad Museum, the national flag was flown at half-mast as a tribute to the martyrs, while in Sharjah, the UAE flag on a 123-metre-high pole, considered to be the seventh highest flagpole in the world, was also lowered in their honour.
In Abu Dhabi, the corniche saw people of various nationalities and backgrounds also standing side by side with the UAE people in observing the one-minute silent prayer. Other establishments, including shopping malls also witnessed the same mark of respect for the brave sons of the UAE.
On the occasion, Dubai’s Media Office said: “Our martyrs are a source of pride and honour and their sacrifices will remain forever in the memory of our nation.”
The Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office on Thursday expressed its gratitude to the nation in remembering its heroes on Commemoration Day.
“Thank you for your participation in #The_ UAE_ Remembers and joining us in expressing our pride and gratitude for the UAE’s heroes,” they tweeted.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan had pledged to the families of the nation’s martyrs that they will continue to receive the utmost care and full support of the nation.
The UAE observes November 30 every year as Commemoration Day to salute the martyrdom of Emirati heroes who sacrificed their lives defending the sovereignty of the nation in civil, military and humanitarian services, it was decreed by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The day was declared as a public holiday throughout the UAE, and is marked by a host of activities and events to honour the martyr’s brave deeds.
— With inputs from WAM
