It’s Commemoration Day this week – here’s what you need to know…

Tomorrow, aka Wednesday November 30, marks the UAE’s second Commemoration Day, which is all about remembering those that sacrificed their lives both at home and abroad in military and humanitarian fields.

Commemoration Day came into effect last year, when HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, stated that November 30 would become an annual public holiday to honour the UAE’s martyrs.

This incredible short film by ImageNation Abu Dhabi titled The UAE Remembers drives home the meaning behind commemoration day, and the sacrifice made by the UAE’s heroes to protect the nation we all call home.

In a statement this week, Sheikh Khalifa said, “We vow this day to be loyal to our martyrs and to be like fathers to their sons. We vow that as we continue on our path, we shall always be grateful for their sacrifice and we shall preserve their memory forever.”

The first UAE serviceman died for his country on November 30, 1971 – hence the date of the holiday

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HOW WE CAN OBSERVE COMMEMORATION DAY

Many of us will have received a text this morning from the Martyrs’ Families’ Affairs Office, detailing what’s going to be going on tomorrow, and with details of how you can celebrate.

If not, here it is:

The UAE’s flag will be lowered at 8am at all government and government-subsidiary premises and will remain lowered until the minute of silence has been observed.

There will be a minute of silent prayer from 11.30 am to 11.31am in honour of the country’s heroes.

The flag will be raised at 11:31am along with the national anthem.

SHEIKH MOHAMMED ON COMMEMORATION DAY

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This week HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has released a statement to discuss Commemoration Day, saying, “Today, we gather as leaders and peoples of the nation to salute our heroes, to honour their memory, and to also remind everyone that their sacrifices will forever be remembered in our hearts and minds.

“Our martyrs’ loved ones are just as precious to use as our own, and their noble goals, for which they have sacrificed their lives, will be held as a badge of honour until the end of time.

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“We, today, also greet and express appreciation, pride and gratitude to our valiant security and relief forces, and civil protection personnel, for all their efforts and vigilance in ensuring the security of the citizens, residents and visitors of this country.

“Today, we also fondly and very proudly remember our peoples’ embrace of their nation’s martyrs and that of their families, a very powerful depiction of the strength of this nation and its national identity, as well as its unity and solidarity against adversity.”

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