The National Day is an occasion to fulfill and renew the pledge, loyalty to the founding leaders, headed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God have mercy on him,” as a sign of gratitude for their efforts, thoughts and work to turn the dream of the Union into reality, strengthen the pillars of the Union State, and consolidate its presence in its regional and international framework, instill the value of unity in the hearts and minds of Emiratis, and renew the pledge for our wise leadership headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, “may God protect him” with loyalty and hard work in order to maintain the gains of the Union, and to make its banner flutter high in international forums.
The forty-ninth National Day comes this year while the UAE is at the height of its progress and advancement, after the first place has become its name in various fields of development the thing which is recognized by major and reliable regional bodies and institutions.
Today, as we look back on what has been accomplished during the forty-nine years of time, we confirm that what has been achieved is a pioneering and unique experience that has never been witnessed in history. Our country has witnessed an educational, cultural and urban renaissance, just as it witnessed an economic boom represented by improvement of the individual’s standard of living to unparalleled proportions unprecedented in the most developed and advanced countries of the world.
Our National Day has acquired a special meaning in the armed forces whose members feel as the guardians and protectors of our experience, and that the security of the great homeland and the protection of its assets and wealth is their first responsibility, and on this Day the members of the armed forces renew their allegiance to their Supreme Commander, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, May God protect him, “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and their “brothers” the Sheikhs, Members of the Supreme Council of the Federation, Rulers of the emirates, and they assure them of their readiness to willingly sacrifice their lives for the sake of protecting the security of our dear homeland, and they pledge to exert all efforts and energies possible, so that the UAE army remains an institution worthy of the honor of belonging to the United Arab Emirates, capable of assuming the responsibility of defending its homeland.
