The U.A.E National DayBy: Hassan Douglah

What is the U.A.EThe United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. The U.A.E is a federation of seven emirates (states), each governed by a hereditary emir. The U.A.E’s national language is Arabic and Islam is the official religion. There are approximately eight and a quarter million people living in the U.A.E but only 19% of those are Emirati, or ‘locals’.

The Emirates

• The seven emirates are:Ras Al KhaimaUmm Al QuwainFujairahSharjahAbu DhabiDubai

A Discovery

UAE forms and joins the Arab League

UAE’s first meeting

Invasion of Kuwait

Diplomatic Relations

First Elections

A leader dies a new one takes over The Strategy

1950s 1971 1981 May 1991 19982005 December

2006 January 2007

Oil is Discovered

After independence, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayra, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaywayn become the UAE. Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan takes over the country. UAE joins the Arab League.

UAE is a beginning member of the Gulf Cooperation Council; its first meeting is held in Abu Dhabi.

UAE forces join the allies against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.

UAE restores diplomatic relations with Iraq; they were severed at the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf

War.

Sheikh Khalifa announces plans for the UAE's first elections. Half of the members of the consultative Federal National Council will be elected by a limited number of citizens.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE PM and vice-president and ruler of Dubai, dies during a visit to Australia. He is succeeded by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

UAE unveils a national development strategy aimed at making it a world leader.Dubai and Qatar become the two biggest shareholders of the London Stock Exchange, the world's third largest stock exchange.

Brief history of the U.A.E

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Why is the U.A.E National Day Celebrated?

It marks the UAE's formal independence from the United Kingdom and the eventual unification of the seven emirates in 1971 which combined to form the modern-day country. However, Ras Al Khaimah did not join in until 1972. Even though the U.A.E is now completely independent there are still signs all over the country that show that the U.A.E has a treaty with the United Kingdom, the most obvious one being the shape of the coins used.

50 fils 20 pence

How is it celebrated?People celebrate by painting their face with the flag’s colours. They also go out on the streets and do a maseera (parade), in which they decorate their cars with flags and pictures of the leaders.

There are also different celebrations that are held in each of the different Emirates.

Celebrations in FujairahThe main event that is held in Fujairah is the Al Saif Traditional Sword Competition. There is a parade here as well but it is smaller than the one held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

There are also children programs held in Fujairah which includes a wide variety of activities like 5-v-5 football with a huge prize for the winning team. Alongside these festivities there are several places that hold traditional folk dances each hour.

Celebrations in Abu DhabiIn Abu Dhabi an annual motorbike parade is held along the Corniche, which is followed by a firework display. Traditional horsemanship can also be watched during the National Day in the Yas Marina circuit.

There is also an official ceremony in which the official heads of the U.A.E attend. This ceremony is usually a play that shows the history of the U.A.E

Celebrations in Dubai

The celebrations in Dubai is where the money comes out. The Dubai Fountain does a show to the U.A.E National Anthem every two hours. People drive from the Dubai Mall to the JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) in a huge parade. Streets get blocked and the parade runs from 9pm until 1am.

Dubai Fountain Beginning of the Dubai Parade

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