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Watch: UAE President hosts iftar banquet for Rulers of emirates, important officials
The Rulers were joined by a number of individuals who were present on the very first day the UAE flag was ever raised, in 1971
- PUBLISHED: Thu 26 Feb 2026, 11:23 PM UPDATED: Fri 27 Feb 2026, 8:00 AM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has shared photos from a momentous occasion during the holy month of Ramadan, on which he hosted an iftar banquet for his "brothers"—the Rulers of the other emirates.
"Together we exchanged best wishes on the holy month of Ramadan, praying for God to grant peace and blessings to all," the UAE President said.
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The iftar event, held at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, was also attended by Crown Princes, Deputy Rulers, and Sheikhs in the presence of Indonesia's president Prabowo Subianto, who is on a visit to the UAE.
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Attendees performed Maghrib prayer together and attended the banquet hosted Sheikh Mohamed in honour of the Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes, and Deputy Rulers.
During the gathering, the president engaed in cordial conversation with the Rulers and reflected on the UAE’s continued development, as well as sustained efforts to strengthen the nation, build on its achievements, and realise the aspirations of its people for the future.
They also viewed a documentary featuring the testimonies of a number of individuals who took part in the historic day of the founding of the Union when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, raised the UAE flag for the first time. In their testimonies, participants expressed the personal significance of this milestone and what it continues to mean to them.
Watch a video of the gathering here:
Special iftar
While the group iftar with the Rulers was in itself a noteworthy event, the President shared another fact that made this particular iftar all the more special.
Sheikh Mohamed said that the Rulers were also joined by a number of individuals who were present on the very first day the UAE flag was ever raised, in 1971, and the Union was formed by UAE's Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
"Inspired by the legacy of our Founding Father, we reaffirmed our steadfast determination to advance the UAE’s journey of development in pursuit of enduring unity, prosperity, and growth for our nation and its people," Sheikh Mohamed said.
The President also viewed a collection of more than 60 rare and previously unpublished photographs documenting historic scenes from the day the Union was formed and the flag of the United Arab Emirates was raised for the first time on December 2, 1971 at Union House in Dubai.
The collection includes an original print signed by the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as the original photographic negatives.
The individuals spoke of their pride in having taken part in one of the most significant moments in UAE history and shared their memories of the day the Union was formed.
