‘Beautiful feeling’ for Emirati students as nation’s flag is raised

Emirati students at Canadian University Dubai were proud to raise the UAE flag on campus on Thursday morning, saying it was a chance to express their gratitude to the country’s leaders.

Flag Day was an occasion for pride and loyalty for Canadian University Dubai students from left: Layan Al Jammal, Ahmad Al Akel, Maya Al Samad and Amira Boussoufa. Victor Besa for The National
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DUBAI // Emirati students at Canadian University Dubai were proud to raise the UAE flag on campus on Thursday morning, saying it was a chance to express their gratitude to the country’s leaders.

Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, who led the flag-hoisting ceremony at the university that was witnessed by teachers and fellow students from many nations, said Flag Day was a day of pride and loyalty.

“It is such a beautiful feeling, which I cannot describe in words. It is the feeling of expressing love to my country’s Rulers, who are doing their best to give the people what they need and to keep them happy,” said the 22-year-old public relations graduate, whose father has served in the Armed Forces.

“This special day also marks 12 years since Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may God protect him, took over the Presidency and he embodies the highest sense of unity and cohesion.”

Amal Darwish Al Zarooni, a graduate and now the student adviser at the university, said that she and her family are going to put flags on top of their houses.

“Whenever I see my flag, I thank Allah that I am living in the UAE, which is a peaceful country made up of seven emirates with one heart,” said the 35-year-old daughter of an army officer.

“Along with celebration, today is also the day of sharing stories of the UAE with our non-Emirati friends.”

Maitha Abdullah Al Marzooqi, who studied environment and health management at the university, said that, for her, Flag Day is as important as next month’s National Day.

“It is the day that we reaffirm our loyalty to the UAE flag, which is a symbol of our country’s greatness,” said the 21-year-old.

“It is the day that Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became our President after his father Sheikh Zayed, the person who was loved by everyone around the world.”

On Thursday, Ms Al Marzooqi was disturbing 200 UAE flags to everyone she met.

“I celebrate with each single person I know in my life, not only family and friends,” she said. “Because I have many non-Emirati friends at the university, I will gift them chocolates with a very small flag on the top. I will also play the national anthem on the piano and guitar as well and let them all sing the national anthem with me.”

Ms Al Marzooqi said that whenever she sees the UAE flag she is grateful for all that it embodies.

“I thank God because I am living in a peaceful country, which is the most important thing for me as a citizen,” she said.

akhaishgi@thenational.ae