Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan
Most recently, United Arab Emirates celebrated its 37th Armed Forces Unification Day. UAE Embassies around the globe staged many graceful integrated activities. It was true reflection of love towards Sons of Soil. It was sincere acknowledgment to the Defenders of the Country for their unlimited sacrifices.
UAE Embassy in Pakistan under the supervision of Ambassador Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi arranged a remarkable reception in a local hotel. It was graced especially Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan Army General Khalid Shameem Wynne who expressed satisfaction over close ties of Pakistan with the UAE in all spheres of life including cooperation between the defence forces of the two brotherly countries.
Chief of the Naval Staff and several senior officers of three services, ambassadors/high commissioners, senior diplomats and military attaches of number of the countries posted in Islamabad attended the reception. General Wynne assured the host ambassador that the close relationship of the two brotherly countries would continue to grow further. Both the countries can trust each other in any test times as they had been helping each other in every odd, the general said who was cheerful to see the display of the performance of the Armed Forces of the UAE through documentary on big screen.
The military attaché of the UAE, Colonel (Staff) Ghanem Ali Ghanem Al-Ali acted as the co-host in the reception. Al Noaimi said that activity of his country’s Armed Forces expanded ever since their formation.
In a statement published by Dira Al Watan Magazine on the occasion of the 37th Armed Forces Unification Day, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that “The mastery of establishing a deterrent force, equipped with the latest equipment and military systems and technology, is the result of the preparation and implementation of modernised defensive and comprehensive programs which qualify the armed forces to safeguard the homeland and the unity of the community.”
And we are committed to continue our work to provide all aspects of support to bring our armed forces to a decent standard, internally and externally, in the framework of an integrated defence strategy that aims to achieve excellence and to enable the armed forces to perform their national and humanitarian duties to the fullest.
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of strong defence by saying “ My sons and daughters in the armed forces, We firmly believe that building strength means building peace and the best use of force is to achieve security , justice, political and community stability internally and to lend a hand and help brothers and friends externally. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan appreciated his armed forces participation in international peacekeeping forces and campaigns to provide relief to areas stricken natural by disasters in a number of countries.
On this day the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has addressed the Armed Forces in a speech published in “Dira’a Al Watan” magazine. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum showed his satisfaction over the tremendous development made by UAE Armed Forces in these years. He said “’Readiness key to diligence, excellence”.
He focused that “Our success would not have occurred if we hadn’t taken it upon ourselves to carry the burden and face challenges head on, and seize opportunities with organised and incessant hard work”.
His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces stressed that the development and modernisation plans that the Armed Forces is working on implementing is part of the march of comprehensive development being made by the UAE under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Unification of our Armed Forces is considered as one of the achievements that expressed deeply on the will of unity, the strategic vision, that came from the efforts of the founding leader, our late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brothers who were leaders of the UAE at that time and became a national institution over the years, a unique model, reflecting the meaning of belonging, loyalty and unity, cohesion and strength of the social fabric and components of our national culture and ancient civilization, he added.
Right from the beginning, UAE under successive visionary leadership maintained its focus to institutionalize strong armed forces, gradually increase its military capabilities and moreover modernize its weaponry. Sixth May marks the 37th Unification Anniversary of the Armed Forces of United Arab Emirates which symbolizes the Federation and the national unity.
On May 6, 1976 a historic decision was made to unify the Armed Forces of the Emirates towards a sublime goal: defend the UAE and its national achievements. Sixth May 1976 is a glorious day in history when the UAE Armed Forces was unified under one flag and one command to be an impregnable shield to defend our nation and our achievements. It is the day of appreciation for UAE’s men in uniform. The unification of the armed forces had not been smooth and easy but ultimately the will of visionary leadership prevailed which strengthened the Federation, developed and upgraded the armed forces in all aspects and acquired vast knowledge in the military field. It gradually unleashed a comprehensive process to bring in state-of-the-art weaponry and acquire the most modern military field skills.
Concluding Remarks
Armed Forces Unification day is an occasion to renew the covenant and loyalty to wise leadership, led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces that to remain loyal soldiers, to protect the soil of the country. It a promise to preserve the foundations of nation united, working hard to keep Armed Forces as a shield to protect the homeland. It is indeed a symbol of national unity and the dutifulness.