The UAE will celebrate its 53rd National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, on December 2, which gives residents the opportunity to reflect on the country's journey of resilience, determination and success. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MoHRE) has announced official paid holidays for December 2 and 3 (Monday and Tuesday) for all private sector employees in the UAE. Since the dates coincide with Saturday and Sunday, this gives UAE residents the chance to celebrate a long weekend.
Why is UAE National Day celebrated?
According to local media, Eid Al Etihad commemorates the historic moment when the seven emirates came together in 1971 to form a united nation led by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
'Spirit of the Union' is the official theme of the UAE's National Day celebrations. To celebrate this occasion, various events are organized for the residents.
Guidelines for UAE Residents on National Day
Khaleej times said the UAE government has banned arbitrary marches or gatherings. It also included a detailed list of guidelines to follow:
- Obey all traffic rules and follow police instructions
- Do not use party sprays by drivers, passengers or pedestrians
- Make sure that the front and rear license plates of the vehicle remain visible; do not change the color of the vehicle or darken/tint the windshields
- Do not place stickers, signs or logos of any kind on the vehicle unless they are specific to Eid Al Etihad and comply with official guidelines and conditions
- Do not exceed the allowed number of passengers in a vehicle or allow anyone to exit through the windows or sunroof of your car
- Avoid making unauthorized changes to the vehicle or adding unlicensed features that cause noise or obstruct visibility
- Do not obstruct traffic, block roads for emergency vehicles (ambulance, civil protection, police patrols) or perform stunts on internal or external roads
- Do not cover the side, front or rear windows of the vehicle with stickers and avoid using sunshades that obstruct the view
Things to do during UAE National Day celebration
Dubai will be celebrating for six days – from November 28 to December 3 – with shopping deals, acrobat acts, music performances, fireworks and a range of culinary experiences.
The city of Sharjah has made all public museums free of charge on December 1 and 2.
The official celebrations will take place in Al Ain and will be attended by the country's rulers and leaders.
