Ministers have said that “Eid Al Etihad” embodies an enduring national charter of unity and achievement, recalling the historic moment when the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the Rulers of the Emirates signed the Union document and the UAE Constitution in 1971. They described the occasion as a lasting national milestone in which the UAE’s firmly rooted values are brought to mind with pride, particularly unity, cohesion, and loyalty to the nation and its leadership.
A lasting witness to the founding spirit
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, said that “Eid Al Etihad” will remain a testament to the blessed efforts made with sincerity and dedication by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who gave this nation so much in effort, thought and work, alongside the founding leaders of the UAE.
He noted that the Founding Father and the Rulers signed the Union document and the UAE Constitution, and announced the name of the state: the United Arab Emirates, so that it would stand as a title of values, renaissance, progress and giving, open to all those who aspire around the world, and a symbol of success in every field.
He said: “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, renaissance and peace, then 18 July is one of the days of the UAE, because it was the main platform from which the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, may God rest his soul, and the founding fathers set out to reach the اتحاد of our Emirates on 2 December 1971.”
He explained that if the founding fathers pledged to one another on that day, and made a covenant with God to unite on a common word that would bring them together in cooperation and solidarity to establish this homeland, which thanks to their blessed efforts and the efforts of the UAE’s leadership after them became a model and example in the region and the world, then on this blessed historic day “we renew the covenant and promise to God, to the nation and to the leader of its march, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, to spare no effort so that our UAE may remain towering and flying high, and become a model of renaissance, civilisation, humanity and coexistence”, and we also pledge to our wise leadership “obedience, loyalty, belonging and gratitude for what they have offered for the future of the UAE.”
Renewing the national covenant
His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said: “On Eid Al Etihad, we recall with pride and appreciation the historic moment that laid the solid foundation for the establishment of the United Arab Emirates, when the founding fathers, led by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, came together around an exceptional unifying vision that placed the interests of the nation and people at the forefront and charted a development path that has become a globally admired model.
“This day represents an inspiring national milestone for renewing the pledge to continue the march of achievements and build on the firm legacy left by our founding fathers, while strengthening the gains the state has achieved over past decades in various economic, developmental and humanitarian fields.”
وأضاف معاليه: «لقد أثبتت دولة الإمارات، بفضل رؤية قيادتها الرشيدة وطموح شعبها، أن الاتحاد لم يكن فحسب مشروع وحدوي ملهم وناجح، بل كان مشروعاً حضارياً متكاملاً، أسهم في بناء اقتصاد تنافسي منفتح على العالم، ومكّن الدولة من ترسيخ مكانتها شريكاً موثوقاً تجارياً واستثمارياً وتنموياً على المستوى الدولي».
Building on a living national culture
For her part, Her Excellency Shamma bint Suhail bin Faris Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Empowerment, said: “Every generation in the UAE has its own covenant with the الوطن, and Eid Al Etihad reminds us that what we inherited was not land alone, but a system of values, a trust of responsibility, and a belief that nation-building begins with building the individual who is conscious of his or her role towards the homeland and society.”
She added: “The United Arab Emirates has succeeded in transforming this covenant into a living national culture, one that renews itself with every stage, and is reflected in initiatives, in a spirit of giving, and in a deep sense of responsibility towards everyone.”