His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, said that “Union Pledge Day” will remain a testament to the blessed efforts made with sincerity and dedication by the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul in peace”, as well as to the contributions he made to the nation through his thought, work and commitment, alongside the UAE’s founding leaders. He said the late Founding Father and the rulers of the Emirates signed the Union document and the UAE Constitution, and announced the name of the country, the United Arab Emirates, to be a beacon of values, progress and giving, and to embrace all those with ambition around the world, becoming a symbol of success across all fields and a model and example for nations and peoples.
A historic day in the UAE’s journey
He said that if 2 December is a glorious day in the history of the UAE, the region and the world because it witnessed the birth of a homeland of tolerance, human fraternity, progress and peace, then 18 July is also one of the UAE’s glorious days because it was the main platform from which the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, may God rest his soul in peace, together with the founding fathers, moved towards the union of the Emirates on 2 December 1971.
He explained that if the founding fathers had pledged to one another on that day, and had made a covenant with God to unite on a common word that would bring them together in cooperation and solidarity, in order to establish this homeland which, thanks to their blessed efforts and the efforts of the UAE leadership after them, has become a model and example in the region and the world, then on this blessed historic day we renew our pledge and promise to God, to الوطن, and to the leader of the nation’s march, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, to spare no effort so that our beloved UAE may remain proud and high in stature, and become a model of renaissance, civilisation, humanity and coexistence. He added that they also pledge loyalty, obedience, belonging, fidelity and gratitude to the wise leadership for all it has done for the future of the UAE, which is the future of all.
Renewing loyalty to the nation and its leadership
He added that 18 July will remain a day on which the nation remembers its founding leaders and declares that it is following in their footsteps and standing united behind His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him. He said the nation must always act according to his wise vision, remain faithful to everything Emirati, and ensure that loyalty to the homeland and to its leader, His Highness the President, is matched by belonging, effort and sincerity towards its land as a living expression of gratitude for the history of the UAE, its values, and the path its leadership has been keen to ensure makes the Emirates a home of safety, security, prosperity, tolerance and coexistence for all citizens and residents.
He said that on “Union Pledge Day” the complete commitment is expressed to follow their path, to unite always behind His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, and to promise that everyone will work in their own field for the advancement and protection of our beloved nation, the upholding of its values, and the extending of a hand to all around the world as an expression of its humanity and a symbol of the generosity of its people, in line with the wise vision outlined for all of us by His Highness the President, may God protect him.
In conclusion, His Excellency extended his warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, to his brothers, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, and to all the sons and daughters of the United Arab Emirates on this glorious national occasion.