Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: statement on the occasion of Commemoration Day

ABU DHABI, 29th November, 2015 (WAM) -- His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has said that our national anniversaries are a reflection of our achievements and gains, with each one of them carrying honorable significance.

"The anniversary we mark today represents the noblest values of patriotism, loyalty, belonging and dedication: Commemoration Day. It is the day of honour and pride, the day to pay tribute to our intrepid martyrs, celebrating their bravery, determination and sacrifice. Our fallen heroes have given up their own lives for the UAE flag to remain flying aloft with power, pride and glory," His Highness said in his statement to mark Commemoration Day (Martyrs' Day), which falls tomorrow.

Here is the complete text of His Highness' statement: "Today, we stand together to honour the heroism and sacrifice of our martyrs, immortalising them in history with pride, honour and gratitude, and recognising the ultimate sacrifice they have made for our nation and the values of humanity.

The decision by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan that November 30th will be marked as Commemoration Day pays homage to the sacrifices of our loyal servicemen and the values of bravery, selflessness and heroism they stand for. It also reaffirms that our nation never forgets its people, civilian or military, who sacrifice their lives for it and work for its prosperity. Our martyrs will always be a symbol of patriotism for our people.

We take great pride in our martyrs as we do in their families, parents, wives, children and relatives who have demonstrated extraordinary patience, awareness, willpower and genuine love for their country. They have inspired their fellow citizens’ absolute faith in the strength of our country, the coherence of its people and their unity in the face of challenges and difficult times.

To them I say on this day: You are worthy of the pride we have in you, and that will be passed on to your children, grandchildren and future generations of this beloved nation. Our pride in you is immeasurable; with your faith and patriotism, you have truly become a symbol of the ideal citizen.

We also stand together to remember, with pride and admiration, the deep national unity of our citizens who have shown great feelings of solidarity and support towards martyrs’ families, and shown that the whole nation values their sons’ sacrifices.

By standing together, the people of the UAE have demonstrated the unity and coherence of the Emirati society, the solidarity of its children and their willingness to answer the call of duty without hesitation. This attitude reflects the genuine Emirati nature as one, coherent family interlaced with its leadership even in the darkest of times. It is an image that has earned us the respect of the world for the strength of our country and its resilience against any attempt to challenge the fabric of our nation.

On Commemoration Day, we realise that the best recognition for our martyrs is to continue achieving the mission they died for. It is therefore the mission of every one of us to keep our great nation strong and its flag flying aloft. With determination and strength, we will continue our march towards glory, progress and prosperity.

The souls of our intrepid martyrs will always be beacons of light in the history of our nation. The United Arab Emirates reaffirms that it will never hesitate to shoulder its national, ethical and humanitarian responsibilities, will always stand by distressed nations defending their right to security and development, and will continue to be a source of stability in the region and the world. Our martyrs have written an honorable chapter in the history of their nation that our children, grandchildren and future generations can be proud of and draw determination from in orde