Every country has a different way of marking important occasions in their history. People in the UAE are most creative. I noticed that to celebrate the UAE’s National Day, they had organised many family activities and festive performances, including shows, children’s attractions, parades and much more.
But the most surprising was to see a rare way of celebration. It was new to me thus I was all excited to join them. We were going for a Maritime Parade.
Hundreds of people who wanted to participate in the parade gathered at Sharjah Aquarium along with their families and friends. We sat on one of the traditional boats that were lined up along the coast. The boats were almost full. As soon as everyone settled down, the trip started.
We toured almost the whole of Sharjah. We went from the famous Sharjah Aquarium to Al Qasba then to the Corniche and all the way till the Flag Island before returning to the point we started the parade. Although it was a long journey, I enjoyed it a lot.
Every one of us had a great time although a lot of people had come to celebrate this occasion. Whether Emiratis or expats, children or adults everyone was having a great time. A music band of boy scouts and a group of local folk singers travelling in separate boats kept on performing throughout. There were other groups who kept singing traditional songs while a few girls were dancing on the boats.
But I felt the true spirit of the Union when our boat came closer to the people who were singing the UAE’s national anthem.
It was a wonderful day. I wished this kind of celebration occur every year so we get a chance to share our love for the UAE with everyone.
(Published in The Gulf Today on December 7, 2013)
awesome!!!!
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