The flag of the UAE is a symbol of pride for all Emiratis and was created using traditional pan-Arab colors.
The UAE Flag Day is a national campaign that was launched in 2013 by Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to honor the country's past, present, and future.
Flag Day is usually celebrated on November 3, which marks the anniversary of Sheikh Khalifa becoming the President of the UAE in 2004.
However, this year, the Ministry of Cabinet and the Future has announced that Flag Day will take place on November 2.
While it isn't a public holiday, to most UAE nationals and residents alike, it's still a very special occasion. All government departments have been asked to raise the UAE flag at 11 am on the day.
Here are 8 things you should know about the UAE's Flag Day:
1. The four-coloured flag represents meanings of justice, peace, tolerance, power and moderation
- The red color symbolizes the sacrifices of previous generations who had laid the foundations for the Union and the sacrifices of the nation's martyrs to safeguard the UAE, its achievements, and gains.
- The green color symbolizes growth, prosperity, green environment and cultural renaissance.
- The white color displays the UAE's charitable contributions and the state's approach to supporting the security and peace in the world.
- The black color reflects the strength of Emirati citizens and the rejection of injustice and extremism.
2. The UAE flag was designed by an Emirati named Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah
His Excellency Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah intended the four colors to reflect Arab unity, the theme of which appears in two verses of the Arab poet Safi-u-ddin Al Hali where he describes deeds of benevolence, goodness, and kindness.
3. The UAE national flag came into existence on December 2, 1971
On December 2, 1971, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan raised the UAE flag for the first time, marking the beginning of a new era.
4. The Presidential Flag
For presidential purposes only, the coat of arms must be used in the middle of the white color.
5. The emblem of the UAE was officially adopted in 1973 and later modified in 2008
It is similar to the coat of arms and emblems of other Arab states in the region. The emblem was designed by an Emirati girl named Dhabiya Khamis from Abu Dhabi.
It consists of a golden falcon (Hawk of Quraish) with a disk in the middle, which shows the barrel-distorted UAE flag and 7 stars representing the 7 Emirates of the federation. The falcon has 7 feathers which represent the 7 Emirates.
6. Mishandling or leaving your flag on the ground may land you in prison
According to the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, the UAE flag law states:
"Any person who publicly drops, damages or in any way insults the Union flag, the flag of any member emirate in the Union on the flag of any other country as a result of disgust or contempt of the powers of the Union, the Emirates or the relevant countries, shall be punished by prison for a period of no more than six months and a fine of no more than 1,000 dirhams."