The key facts
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid called for Flag Day to be marked on 3 November across the UAE
- The day was established in 2013 in honour of Sheikh Khalifa's accession to the throne in 2004
- Flag Day is not a public holiday
A call for a unified national action
UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on Tuesday called on the country's residents to mark Flag Day on 3 November, The National reports. The appeal, published on X, is addressed to government institutions, ministries, schools, universities and residents of all seven emirates, asking them to display the UAE flag. “Raise it high, proud, noble and fluttering in the sky of our country,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote, calling the flag a symbol of national pride, loyalty and unity and stressing that 3 November is a “unified national moment” when the whole country can express its commitment to the homeland.
What lies behind the date and the flag's colours
Flag Day is not a public holiday, but it is observed annually. The occasion was established by Sheikh Mohammed himself in 2013 in memory of the accession of the late President Sheikh Khalifa in 2004; since then the date has become fixed in the national calendar. The flag's design was created by Abdulla Al Maainah; the four colours (pan-Arab ones) each have their own meaning: white stands for good deeds and generosity, green for growth and prosperity, black for strength, resilience and courage, and red for the sacrifices of previous generations of Emiratis in defending the country.
Rules for handling the flag
Alongside the call, the post recalls the formal requirements for displaying the symbol: the authorities periodically update and circulate the relevant guidelines. When the flag is placed indoors, the base may be golden, silver or wooden; the flag must not touch the ground or the base and must be positioned at least 20–25 cm above it.
