Ignite School Celebrates UAE National Day

UAE National Day is celebrated on 2^nd of December each year in the United Arab Emirates. In December of 1971, the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Al-Ain, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain agreed to unite, formulating the notion of UAE (United Arab Emirates). Later in February 1972, the seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah decided to join the conglomerate and become a single entity. The idea of a united colonization in UAE began soon after the British declared their willingness to withdraw from colonies and protectorates of the eastern Mediterranean. A meeting was held between Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Makhtoum and upon mutual consensus, they decided to unite, inviting the other Gulf Emirates to join hands. Although the British departed in 1968, the National Day celebrations started three years afterward in 1971, when the Emirates federal constitution approved the principle on Dec 1, 1971. The very next day, the seventh emirate decided to join hands as well. The current flag of UAE was raised in a hostel building, now known as the “House of Union”, where the heads of 7 emirates gathered to take an influential decision. Sheikh Zayed was the elected president of the union and Sheikh Rashid was the vice president of UAE. Each year, the 2^nd of December marks the festivities of the National day of UAE. Grand celebrations are held across the country to mark the event.

At Ignite School we are an American Curriculum School, but we understand the importance of the UAE culture and celebrating the heritage of the United Arab Emirates.  On the occasion of the UAE National Day students and staff at Ignite School celebrated in school by wearing UAE traditional wear or the colors of the UAE flag to show their solidarity towards UAE.  The campus was decorated ahead of time in preparation for the event. The students participated enthusiastically in different activities. They decorated their classes and the corridors by displaying the art work they had prepared for that day as well as the UAE flag filling the hallways and corridors as well as outside the school premises. The celebration started early in the morning as the students gathered on the football field for the National Anthem. After that the festivities began where students were given the opportunity to participate in many events planned for the day such as – riding a camel and horse, observing and holding a falcon, face painting, henna and taking pictures at a UAE National Day themed photo booth. There was an art station, fun team games and of course everyone’s favorite a bouncy house. We invited a group to come and perform a traditional dance as well as teach the dance to the students. After the students had taken part in a morning filled with activities the students joined their teacher and classmates in their classrooms for a traditional Emirati meal together. Parents joined us for the day of celebration and prepared and provided the food for the classrooms. The Ignite School community enjoyed a fun-filled National Day celebration.