From Qasr Al Hosn to Dubai classrooms the UAE went up together on 3rd November.
11am on Tuesday 3rd November saw flags go up in all seven emirates and the UAE Flag Day ceremonies were a mixture of the big national events and the smaller more personal ones. Leaders, ministries, schools, universities and the general public all got involved. Here’s a summary of what took place and what the leaders had to say.
The President at Qasr Al Hosn
The main UAE Flag Day celebrations were conducted by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. He hoisted the flag in conjunction with 55 individuals from various sectors (one for each year of the Union’s existence). The national anthem was performed and he paid his respects to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and to the other rulers who founded the Union. In his remarks he stressed that the people are the UAE’s greatest asset and the very source of its strength and pride.
What Other Leaders Said
Leaders across the country shared their own messages on the day:
- UAE Flag Day ceremonies in Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, posted on X: “On Flag Day we raise our flag with pride in what we have built.”
- UAE Flag Day ceremonies at the Presidential Court: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan hoisted the flag and referred to it as a symbol of sovereignty, of dignity and of achievement. He called on the younger generation to uphold the values of the Union.
- UAE Flag Day ceremonies at the Zayed National Museum: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, hoisted the flag and stated that the day serves to reinforce the Emiratis’ sense of belonging.
- UAE Flag Day ceremonies in the words of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai: described the flag as “a symbol of our pride and unity” and paid tribute to the UAE Armed Forces
A Message to the Young
A thread goes through a number of the messages: the next generation. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, spoke of the importance of Flag Day in terms of unity, achievement and shared values and urged the youth to be a part of it through knowledge, creativity and excellence. Sheikh Mansour’s message was along the same lines. It’s clear that the Flag Day events in the UAE were as much about the future as they were about the past.
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Schools Joined In
Classrooms were also involved. The National reports that Dove Green Private School in Dubai Investments Park had a full flag ceremony (with the raising of the flag and singing of the anthem) after a number of days of preparation, Year 10 students delivering a speech in both Arabic and English. At GEMS Wellington Dubai Hills the Principal noted that many of the students had grown up in the UAE with parents from other countries and the flag was used as a symbol of unity and respect. At the American Academy for Girls in Dubai the students all signed pledge cards pledging their loyalty, unity and pride. These small flag day events are a clear indication of how the day has seeped into the everyday lives of the students.
Dubai’s National Month Begins
Flag Day also kicks off Dubai National Month (3 November to 2 December) as per Arabian Business. Organised by Brand Dubai in partnership with the government and private sector, the month features the Flag Garden, a UAE Parade, Eid Al Etihad celebrations to mark the 55th National Day of the UAE and the “Stories of Our Determination” short film competition. So the UAE Flag Day ceremonies were just the beginning of a month of festivities.
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The Takeaway
Whether it was a President at the historic fort or a Year 10 kid giving a speech in two languages, the message was the same one: pride, unity and belonging. If you missed it on the day there’s still time to get involved over the coming weeks.
Also Read : UAE Flag Day 2026: What Happens Today and How You Can Join In
