H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, was briefed in his office yesterday about the efforts of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation to strengthen national identity and raise student awareness about the UAE’s flag, and the history of previous Emirate flags before being unified into one national flag.

Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi, Director-General of the Watani Al Emarat Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s initiatives that include cultural competitions to introduce the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as the UAE flag adopted upon its raising by the nation’s founder on 2nd December, 1972, and the meaning of the flag’s colours in relation to Arab unity, courage, extensive territories and righteousness.

The foundation’s activities promote awareness of loyalty and national belonging, and the importance of the national flag for local citizens, as well as for foreign and Arab residents in the UAE, Al Falasi said.

H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a copy of the book "The National Identify and Good Citizenship" by Dr. Amal Belhoul Al Falasi, Community Affairs Advisor of the foundation. The book was inspired by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s call for local communities to adopt the spirit of good citizenship and perform their national duties. He added that citizenship is not just about official papers, but represents loyalty and belonging to the nation.

The book states that despite its necessity, openness to outside cultures can sometimes affect the identity of some people. It also emphasised the importance of preserving national identity.