The UAE will celebrate Flag Day 2025 on Monday, November 3, marking 13 years since the national occasion was first observed. While it is not a public holiday, the day serves as a powerful reminder of national unity with Emiratis and residents alike raising the UAE flag across offices, schools, and public spaces in a shared display of pride and patriotism.
The UAE flag was first hoisted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on December 2, 1971, to mark the formation of the Union a historic moment that continues to inspire generations.
Ahead of the celebration, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, urged all ministries, institutions, and residents to raise the national flag simultaneously at 11am on November 3.
“On November 3, we celebrate UAE Flag Day an annual occasion to renew our pledge, reaffirm our loyalty, and express our love for our nation’s flag, the symbol of our sovereignty and the emblem of our Union,” Sheikh Mohammed said on his official social media account.
He added:
“We call upon all Emiratis, residents, and institutions across the country to raise the UAE flag at 11am as a gesture of unity and solidarity — a reflection of our shared values of patriotism, belonging, and devotion to our nation and leadership. May the UAE flag forever fly high in glory.”
The Story Behind the Flag
The UAE flag, designed in 1971 by a young Emirati, Abdullah Mohammad Al Maainah, was chosen from over 1,000 submissions in a national competition. Al Maainah would later serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, forever linking his name to one of the country’s most enduring symbols.
What the Colours Represent
- Red: Symbolises courage, strength, and unity, binding all other meanings together.
- Green: Represents hope, prosperity, and growth.
- White: Stands for peace, honesty, and purity.
- Black: Signifies the defeat of enemies and resilience of spirit not oil, as often misunderstood.
As the flag rises across the nation on November 3, it will once again serve as a timeless reminder of the UAE’s unity, leadership, and enduring vision for the future.
