Every year on November 3, the UAE celebrates Flag Day, a national event introduced in 2013 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai). This day commemorates the accession of the late President Sheikh Khalifa in 2004, honouring the UAE’s heritage and vision. Throughout the country, the UAE flag is displayed, symbolising a tradition of national unity and pride.
The Emirati flag comprises four colours, known as the pan-Arab colours, each representing distinct values of the nation. White stands for kindness and generosity, green is a symbol of growth and prosperity, black represents strength, resilience, and courage while red reflects the sacrifices of past generations in defending the nation.
To celebrate, citizens and tourists alike are invited to visit the UAE Flag Garden organised by Brand Dubai. This year, the event returns for its 11th iteration on Umm Suqeim Beach in Dubai, set against the iconic Burj Al Arab. Part of a month-long lead-up to UAE National Day, the Flag Garden features about 4,000 UAE flags arranged in unique displays each year. This time, standing at a height of 60 m and spanning 131 m, the Garden honours the Founding Fathers, with over 6,000 flags arranged to depict HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Previous editions of the Flag Garden have included 4,000 flags being arranged to form the UAE abbreviation (2015), the country’s map outline (2016), and the EXPO logo (2021). In 2018, the display commemorated HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the current President, with verses from HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s poem To Khalifa, adding a poetic touch to the tribute.
In 2020, the flags depicted the faces of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council). In 2022, the event celebrated HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s appointment as UAE President with his portrait.
The UAE Flag Garden is free to enter and will welcome all visitors until 10 January 2025. To get more information about the event, please go to its official web page.
Those who would like to learn more about the history of the UAE should visit the Etihad Museum in Dubai. It focuses on historic turning points which took place in the years leading to the unification of the Emirates, from 1968 until 1974. Qasr al Muwaiji, an ancient mud-brick fort, is also a great place to explore the Emirates’ history and politics.
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