Celebrating UAE Flag Day

UAE Flag Day is one of the most important holidays in the UAE. Usually, it is celebrated on 3rd November, but sometimes the date varies (for instance, in 2017 the holiday was on 2nd November).

The celebration of the UAE Flag was established back in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. On this day, UAE flags are raised over federal ministries and departments all over the country at 11 AM, the same time the UAE National Anthem sounds. UAE embassies all around the world participate in the flag-raising ceremony as well, starting with the UAE Embassy in New Zealand.

With great pleasure, ordinary people also hang out flags from their balconies, rooftops, backyards and cars. Everybody is welcome to attend lectures about the significance of the UAE flag, its symbolism and history. On this day, elements of national identity can be found almost everywhere. For example, the famous Burj Khalifa is colored in the shades of the national flag. 

For UAE nationals, the flag is associated with memories of the past and dreams of the future. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said:

«Our Emirati flag is the symbol of our union and strength, it is the pride of our parents and our children, under it’s banner we continue the march of progress and by raising it, our young people build the future»

History of UAE Flag

The history of the flag began in 1971 — the year when six of the emirates agreed to unite together, establishing the United Arab Emirates, with the seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joining the union later. The flag itself was designed the same year by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was 19 years old at that time and adopted on December 2nd. Each Emirate was granted the right to use the federal flag interchangeably as the flag of the emirate.

The UAE flag is a symbol of unity and strength of the country. It contains the Pan-Arab colors red, green, white, and black, a combination common to other countries of the MENA Region, thus making the unity of Arab nations as the main theme of the color scheme.

Description of UAE Flag

The UAE federal flag is a rectangular cloth with a length-to-width ratio being 2:1. The flag has 4 strips: one vertical bright red and three horizontal — green, white and black. Each of these pan-Arab colors has a deep symbolic meaning with roots going deep into history, culture, traditions and heritage.

The most common interpretations of each color of the UAE Flag are:

• Red symbolizes sacrifices of the previous generation thanks to which the modern achievements of UAE nation have become possible.
• Green is the symbol of prosperity and growth, also being the color most commonly associated with Islam.
• White color means supporting peace and security in the world.
• Finally, Black color symbolizes the power of UAE citizens and their desire for justice.

UAE national flag is an important part of the United Arab Emirates identity, a good reason for its nationals, as well as residents, to be truly proud and celebrate.