Almost every country celebrates one occasion at least where honouring the flag is commonly witnessed. But UAE does it a little differently. Apart from National day. UAE has a specific day to honour the country’s flag, called UAE Flag Day. Falling on 3 November, this day isn’t a public celebration. But the country has certain stringent guidelines to celebrate this day every year. So let’s understand all the details about UAE Flag Day.
What Is The UAE Flag Day?
As the name suggests, UAE Flag day is an occasion marked by the accession of President Sheikh Khalifa in UAE in the year 2004. The ceremony came into existence in 2013. And from then, it’s a like a tradition followed every year to honour the flag of the country.
The country celebrates this occasion every year on November 3. The idea of this day was the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Ruler & Vice president of Dubai.
Rules To Follow On This Day
There are a set of stringent rules to follow when honouring the flag on this day.
Be it long-term hoisting of flags on Government buildings or short-term at public places or institutions, the rules vary accordingly. The penal code can charge you if you fail to follow these mentioned rules.
Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology is the department responsible for the creation of these guidelines. It suggests that the flag should have the appropriate size & colour in the correct order and its length should be double its width.
After the hoisting ceremony on flag day, the owner holds the responsibility of maintaining the flag within the next 45 days. Everyone has to maintain the flag with required after-care and change it after six months.
The flag used for short-term must be of nylon material not weighing less than 122.5 gms per sqm. Each colour on the flag has a specific meaning. Red means courage, white stands for honesty, black for strength and green for hope.
Anyone found doing malpractice regarding the flag would be punished based on Articles 3 & 176. These articles state that the person insulting the flag can land in jail for 6 months or face a fine.
How Will Be The Event Celebrated This Year?
It’s not a public event hence no holiday on this occasion. The Emirati culture has a strong belief in respecting the flag as a tradition. This year the country would celebrate the 10th year of this occasion.
The event will only include flag-hoisting ceremonies in government offices, schools and other public and private institutions. This is a regular tradition followed every year. The national anthem of the country is played while the flag-raising moment.
So if you stay in UAE and plan to hoist a flag on this day, then follow all the rules mentioned by the government.
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