Abu Dhabi/Dubai: The world's largest flag was displayed above Abu Dhabi on Sunday afternoon as celebrations for the 36th UAE National Day got under way.
The 50,000 square foot flag of the UAE was towed by helicopter above the Corniche. Alongside the flag 52 boats participated in the national rowing race.
The Abu Dhabi Corniche turned into a parade ground on Saturday night as thousands of decorated vehicles drove up and down the stretch, with occupants honking, dancing and singing in celebration.
Thousands of bystanders watched from both sides of the Corniche. Flags were draped on cars and children painted their faces with the colours of the flag.
"As you can see we are celebrating the great success of this nation," 25-year-old Abdul Basel Abdullah said as he pointed to the towers along the Corniche decorated with festive lights.
"It's not only the emirates that are here to celebrate. People from all over the world are here. No one knows how to celebrate this day better than we do," Abdullah said.
On the shores of the Corniche various concerts were held to add to the joyous mood of the day.
Decorations hung from every street light and fireworks went off from a distance as a backdrop to the thousands of people on the Corniche. Ahmad Yousef, an Egyptian who has been in Abu Dhabi for seven years said: "This is not just a joy for the Emirates but for all of us as Arabs to see such an exemplary nation. I wish for the entire Arab world to be united like this."
In Dubai residents celebrated the occasion by visiting heritages sites and attending numerous cultural activities. Thousands thronged parks with their families to enjoy the day. Flags fluttered across the land with buildings bathed in colourful lights.
"This land has given me and my family everything we have dreamed of and more. We are celebrating today to pledge our loyalty to the nation," said Asif Naeem, an Indian.
To the skies: Record breaker
Falcon Aviation Services LLC (FAS), a wholly owned company of Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nayhan, Member of the Executive Council, took to the skies over Abu Dhabi to set a new world record for the largest aerial banner ever flown.
Measuring over 50,000 square feet in size the banner was towed under a Bell 412 Aircraft supplied by Evergreen Helicopters who are partners with FAS in providing Search and Rescue services to the UAE Armed Forces. The previous record had been held by IKEA in Australia. The banner depicting the UAE flag was visible from up to 20 kilometres and the route was designed to take the flag right across the capital making it visible to virtually the entire population of the city of Abu Dhabi.
The idea for the sky high celebration on UAE National Day came initially from Shaikh Sultan and the Chairman of FAS, Captain Salem Al Kayoumi, after the FAS had initiated operations to conduct an aerial banner towing as part of its growing aviation business. "What better way to celebrate our nation's birthday than to proudly display the UAE Flag not only to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, but to the rest of the world as well," said Captain Al Kayoumi.
The banner was supplied by UK-based Heli Banners. The record-breaking flight was jointly sponsored by FAS, Marina Mall and the Abu Dhabi International Marine and Sports Club.
- WAM
