What Is Union Pledge Day & How Is It Celebrated In UAE?

Get ready for a proud moment, folks! The UAE is marking Union Pledge Day for the second time this month, and it’s all about celebrating the country’s incredible journey. Circle Friday, July 18 on your calendar because this national occasion is all set to honour the roots of the United Arab Emirates, and trust us, it’s one for the history books.

What’s Union Pledge Day All About?

Let’s hit rewind to 1971 for a second — that year flipped the script for this whole region. The founding fathers of the UAE sat down for a game-changing meeting, signed the constitution, and boom — the United Arab Emirates was born. That’s when the name ‘UAE’ officially came to life, marking the beginning of everything this country stands for today.

Jump to 2024, and HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, decided it’s only right to honour that historic moment with something fresh — Union Pledge Day. The idea? A simple pause to reflect on the unity, determination, and bold ambition that shaped this nation from the ground up.

Union Pledge Day is happening on July 18, and it’s the perfect chance for everyone — citizens, residents, and even visitors — to take a moment, look back at the UAE’s journey, and celebrate the fearless spirit that keeps this country moving forward.

Is It a Public Holiday? Let’s Clear That Up

Before you whip out the suitcase for a sneaky long weekend, here’s the deal. Union Pledge Day isn’t on the official public holiday list under the UAE’s updated holiday law that kicked in early 2025. So yep, it’s business as usual on July 18… for now.

The law does leave the door open for local governments to call extra public holidays. So, if Dubai or any other emirate decides to go all out for Union Pledge Day, you could just find yourself with a surprise day off. But as things stand, you might want to keep the leave request handy, just in case!

Also Read: UAE Flag Day: 6 Places To See The Flag Hoisted In The Emirates

Where Does It Fit Among The UAE’s National Days?

Union Pledge Day might be new, but it’s fast becoming a meaningful occasion on the UAE’s calendar. It kicks off the country’s series of national days, making it the first major celebration of the year.

Here’s how the line-up looks:

• Union Pledge Day-July 18
• Flag Day-November 3
• Commemoration Day-December 1
  
• Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)– December 2

Of course, Eid Al Etihad is the biggest bash of them all. But Union Pledge Day? It’s really a moment to slow down and think about how it all started — the dream of the founding fathers and how this place grew from quiet desert lands into world-famous cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Yalla, it’s time to celebrate that journey!

Cover Image Courtesy:CanvaPro/Suji Su from Pexels