Pakistan community in UAE celebrates Flag Day

With the UAE colours adorning its walls, and with scores of students waving the UAE's flag, the Pakistani community gathered at the Pakistan Association Dubai premises to commemorate the UAE's national flag day.
PAD on Thursday organised a "Flag Hosting and National Anthem Ceremony" as part of the five day celebrations to mark the UAE Flag Day.

The celebrations began with Dr Faisal Ikram, PAD General Secretary, asking the students what the colours of the UAE flag symbolized. This was followed by flag hoisting by chief guests Captain Khalid Al Madour from Emirates Airline and Captain Amjad Choudhry, executive member of PAD with the students and others at the gathering singing the UAE national anthem with full zeal and fervour.

After making a brief prayer for the UAE and saluting the martyrs of the country, Dr Faisal Ikram said: "The Pak community stands side by side with the UAE nationals on their flag day. Today (UAE Flag Day) is a very symbolic day as it brings all communities together under one flag and the Pakistani community has always been with the Emiratis from the day of the conception of this country in 1971 until today. Pakistanis enjoy a very strong brotherly relationship with the Emiratis that goes back in history and we hope it will continue in future too."
 He concluded with the chant: "Long live the UAE and we stand united with our brothers in the UAE."
Samina Nasir, executive body member of Pak Association Dubai and counciller at Skyline University, said: "We feel so much at home here in the UAE and have never ever felt as outsiders. We thank the UAE leaders for being an epitome of tolerance and allowing people of so many nationalities to live happily and peacefully together.  
"We owe a lot to the UAE and the least we can do to pay back to this country is to be law abiding and loving individuals. We need to actively participate in educational and health projects and contribute in the progress and advancement of the UAE, " she added.
After hoisting the flag the chief guest at the event, Dr Khalid said: " Today is a special day as it gives a message of peace, hope and unity from the UAE to the entire world. The flag day represents unity of this nation regardless of nationality, colour or religion. We are all like one family."

• Dubai