UAE celebrates 46th National Day

Abu Dhabi:The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday celebrated its 46th National Day with zeal and fervour amid several ceremonies across the country to mark the occasion.

The National Day celebrations commenced with Army parade in all seven states of the country. The ceremonials were attended by the rulers of all states including Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Khaleej Times reported.

Al Maktoum, who is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, congratulated the people of the country in a tweet.

"Congratulations to the people and residents of the UAE on the 46th National Day, each National Day is a chance for us to renew our commitment to achieving our greatest ambitions as one team," he said.

Indian Ambassador Navdeep Singh Suri marked the occasion with a Twitter video of wishes made in Arabic. He said that in the coming years, there will be a "remarkable new energy and a new momentum" in the bilateral relationship.

"In the next few months we are going to see India as the Guest of Honour of the World Government Summit in Dubai, we are going to see India as the Guest of Honour of Abu Dhabi Festival in March and we are going to see a number of high level visits taking place between the two sides," Suri said.

Abu Dhabi was decked up with decorative lights and several air shows, exhibitions were organised. Fireworks were performed in Dubai after the clock struck 12 at night. The celebrations will continue for three days.

Aerobatics show by Al Forsan left thousands of people awestruck as various formations and the UAE national colour displays captivated the holiday crowd in the capital. People decorated their cars with the country's flag as patriotic fervour soared sky-high.

Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "The UAE National Day is observed to remind us of the greatest story of building a state by the country's founding fathers."

Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region said: "Under the Union, the UAE has achieved considerable academic, economic, urban and agricultural progress. It today enjoys stability and prosperity at all levels."

UAE embassies, diplomatic missions held a number of cultural and heritage events highlighting the nation's progress and development in the past 46 years, WAM news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the main facade of Nasdaq building in New York paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father and builder of its modern renaissance.

The stock market building mural, which also displayed the UAE's 46th National Day emblem, featured two images of Sheikh Zayed, one in monochrome and the other featuring the UAE national colours.