Mohamed bin Zayed attends National Flag celebration

His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Crown Princes of the Emirates have attended the National Flag celebration at the Breakwater in Abu Dhabi, to commemorate the UAE's 43rd National Day.
"On this festive day, the Emiratis express their loyalty and gratitude to the founding fathers who, with the help of Allah Almighty, believed in the idea of the Federation, made sincere efforts, endured hardships and countered challenges to eventually build this edifice of might, development and progress," H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said in his remarks during the celebration during which UAE National Flag was raised, the UAE National Anthem played and the Guard of Honour greeted Their Highnesses, sheikhs and senior officials.
He added that had it not been for the determination of men who had turned this good land into a giant of a country through achievements and gains, this national flag would not have fluttered high or remained high. "Today we remember the strong will and determination of the founding father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his brothers, the co-founders, who made huge efforts to overcome the immense hardships and counter the challenges." H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, took part in the celebrations alongside H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
During his meeting with the participants, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, said that the wise leadership of the country is proud of citizens as they spontaneously express their love, loyalty to and pride in their nation. He also expressed his delight at having all the Crown Princes standing in on line in front of the National Flag as a token of gratitude and loyalty to those who raised it back in December 1971, when the UAE Federation was established.
On this occasion, The Crown Princes extended their heartfelt greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and the people of the UAE. They wished for happy returns of the occasion and further progress and prosperity for the UAE under President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The celebration coincided with the arrival of the "March of the Union," which began in Fujairah and will pass through each Emirate of the UAE, arriving in Abu Dhabi on 2nd December. The march is part of "Zayed: Source of Goodness," an initiative launched three weeks ago by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, to celebrate the 43rd National Day. Sailboats, fishing boats and ships flying the UAE Flag and displaying the photos of the UAE leaders arrived at the Breakwater where they performed a dazzling sea parade, concluding a ten-day journey during which they passed by the coasts of all the country's emirates.
Meanwhile, Al Fursan (The Knights), the UAE aerobatic display team, performed a show overhead forming the UAE National Flag up in the sky.
H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the Crown Princes were handed over the UAE National Flag to affix it in a memorial plaque on the Breakwater.
Also present at the celebration today were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of Federal National Council (FNC), H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler`s Representative, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care & Special Needs(ZHO), H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Transport Department and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, a number of other sheikhs, ministers and senior civilian and military officials.
Source: WAM