Residents celebrate National Day across the country with gusto

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

As part of the UAE National Day festivities, residents from locals to expatriates have ben engaged in different activities to celebrate the UAE 51st National Day. Public parks, recreational sites and other public sites were inundated with residents gathered to enjoy the long holidays with their family and friends.

Yas Island Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s leading entertainment and leisure destination, gifted children 51 tickets at each of its award-winning theme parks, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in celebration of UAE’s 51st National Day.

Visitors enjoyed a series of live entertainment and events on the island including Ayallah performances, spectacular fireworks over Yas Bay.  In honour of National Day, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi featured a large UAE flag for visitors to use as a background for photo opportunities, while Yas Waterworld offered a number of Emirati activities and live entertainment, including falcon handlers, oud players and rababh performers, as well as henna & face painting.

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In addition, Yas Island offered its exceptional Stay and Play package for guests to enjoy a stay at one of the destination’s world-class hotels.

Global Village welcomes guests from around the world to celebrate the UAE’s 51st National Day with inspiring performances by a special 33-piece orchestra, playing classical Arabic music, until December 4th. The hour-long show entitled ‘Nation of Sun and Moon’ begins with the UAE’s national anthem ‘Ishy Bilady’ as the musicians honour the UAE’s unique heritage and achievements through a selection of traditional songs and tunes.

Residents from locals to expatriates have ben engaged in different activities to celebrate the UAE 51st National Day.

A violinist and harpist also perform popular Emirati songs to commemorate the UAE National Day celebrations. Alongside these performances, and showcasing the spirit of tolerance of the UAE, the Global Village Main Stage hosts a number of cultural shows from the 27 pavilions represented at Global Village.

Celebrating National Day under the theme “Brighter Together” Global Village’s different landmarks are adorned in the colours of the UAE flag, along with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the skies with the colours of the UAE flag.

Guests visiting Global Village can continue to enjoy the themed performances and special fireworks display until the end of the long weekend, until Sunday December 4.

Meanwhile, Dubai Customs organised a number of activities at different customs centres as part of its celebration of the UAE 51st National Day. These included the Village Heritage, folklore games and contests as well as videos displaying the UAE and the Union history. Another contest was introduced to the external audience on Dubai Customs’ social media accounts.

“On this occasion, I am proud to extend my heartiest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and all the citizens and residents of the UAE,” said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs, CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation. “We are grateful for our wise leadership for sparing no effort for the sake of the nation’s advancement and the happiness of all citizens and residents. The UAE has become a model to be followed in terms of modernity, development, tolerance and coexistence. On this opportunity, we are happy to renew our loyalty to the wise leadership, and to continue our hard work to achieve further success, and shape a better future for the next generations in line with the national vision that sees the UAE the best country in the world in its centennial year in 2071.”

Earlier, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation released 51 Asian houbara to mark the 51st National Day of the UAE in collaboration with Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School and the participation of a group of UAE University’s veterinary medicine students. Each of the birds signifies a year of the 51 years since the union of the Emirates, the years of its development and the successes the nation has achieved. The occasion also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the hatching of the first houbara at Al Ain Zoo as part of their conservation programme.