'I may not be an Emirati but UAE is my country'

Dubai - Emiratis, expatriates join to celebrate UAE National Day.

Over the past few days, UAE residents have joined hands to commemorate the upcoming UAE National Day which falls on December 2. And, it's not just the UAE citizens who are feeling patriotic; many expatriates, too, have been adorning their homes and cars with the colours of the UAE flag.
Take Lebanese expatriate, Joelle Rached, for example. Rached is proud to be Lebanese, but after 10 years in Dubai, she feels a "sense of pride" in being a part of the special celebrations.
"My family and I have been here for 10 years. We feel like we belong here. My child was born here so this is home to us now," she told Khaleej Times.
During the run-up to the 44th anniversary, both Emirati and expatriates alike have been displaying their true patriotism by turning out to an array of elaborate events around the city.
This year again, like many years before, Rached and her family attended the National Day Parade in Downtown Dubai, but come December 2, they'll be out of town.
"We usually always join in the National Day festivities. We feel proud to celebrate with our UAE comrades, both Emiratis and expatriates. This year we are heading out of town, though, as it's a longer holiday."