Dubai Customs celebrated today; Thursday, the dual occasions of UAE’s 42nd National Day and the announcement of Dubai as the winning city to host Expo2020. A series of events and activities were staged by Dubai Customs to celebrate and cherish the auspicious occasions.
The ceremony was commenced with raising the UAE flag, playing the national anthem in front of the Dubai Customs building, then events began with customs inspectors’ shows, a horse cavalry show, Dubai Customs Headquarters’ building decoration with the UAE flag along with a variety of traditional events and popular dishes from the UAE cuisine.
On the two occasions, H.E. Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Executive Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and Director General of Dubai Customs, extended warm congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.
He also congratulated the people of the UAE; nationals and expatriates, and Dubai Customs staff on the solemn occasions of the National Day and UAE Exop2020 win.
“Our joy is double; as we celebrate the day of the union and our epic win to host Expo2020” said Ahmed Butti “For all the achievements made over the past four decades in various fields we give thanks to Allah Al Mighty, and thanks to the union and its inspiring spirit, the unrelenting will of the people of the UAE and the wise policies of our leadership. Our union has surely secured the people of the UAE an eminent position internationally.”
He added: “Such significant achievements and successes ranked the UAE amongst the world’s most developed countries. Today, the UAE enjoys an unparalleled environment of peace and security, and the UAE economy has grown stronger, more diversified and more sustainable. In addition, the UAE is home to people from more than 200 nationalities around the world who live in peace and happiness, thanks to its peaceful atmosphere that makes it a perfect place to live and work in.” He noted that the National Day is a great occasion to invoke values and of dedication and perseverance to build a country that ensures prosperity and decent life for its citizens, in light of a futuristic vision that is firmly grounded on sound planning, and benefitting from international practices to attain sustainable development and civilizational advancement.
Dubai Customs Director General pointed that the UAE’s win of the honor of hosting this mega international event is a victory to all Arabs that all shall benefit from. He further confirmed that the cohesion between the leadership and the people, as well as the favorable response by nationals and expatriates to the directives of the prudent leadership are the factors that made the UAE what it is now today.
During his speech, Mr. Butti also commended the great efforts exerted by Dubai Customs’ staff in supporting all national events, stressing the key role they play in the hosting and organizing of Expo2020. For they shall be dealing with visitors, tourists and inbound goods for display during the event, and as a result of this and, given the international performance levels achieved by the Department, Dubai Customs Director General and employees are all honored and proud to be part of this organization. In addition, he encouraged employees to work harder to maintain this position, and praised the spirit of loyalty and belonging of the staff.
Further during the ceremony, Dubai Customs employees and Childcare Center children put on UAE flag scarfs, and all enjoyed the festivities that included a military parade performed by a group of customs inspectors from Dubai Customs’ Airport Operations Department. While another group rode horses and put on wonderful shows that pleased the audience. Moreover, residents of nearby buildings and crowds lined up on the main street to watch the event, shared with Dubai Customs staff the National Day celebrations, and were entertained by the festivities.
Surprises did not miss the scene of the Dubai Customs’ UAE’s 42nd National Day celebrations, as a man climbed the Headquarters’ building and unfurled the UAE flag and the Expo2020 logo from the top of the building in a breathtaking and innovative manner. Additionally, a three-year-old child named Suhail Rashid Al Shar’a recited a poem expressing love for the people and government of the UAE.
Later, all were invited to tour the miniature Heritage Village that was constructed at the entrance of Dubai Customs main building. It featured early-times traditional shops that picture UAE indigenous heritage, where popular UAE food was distributed, and showcased a variety of old Emirati handcrafts.
The National Day celebrations held over the past few days also included a number of events, most notable a review of the book ‘Flashes of Thought’ by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which serves as a course for life and a valuable guide for Dubai Government employees seeking self-development, owing to the diversified thoughts and wise reflections contained in the book.
Furthermore, Dubai Customs received students of Dubai schools and shared with them the celebrations. They were presented with memorial gifts, UAE flags as well as emblems designed for the occasion. Students also had the opportunity to tour the Dubai Customs offices and meet with staff.
The Childcare Center children also had their share of entertainment and rejoicing, as they shared with their parents and Dubai Customs staff in the various activities, as children wore the Emirati traditional wear, and enjoyed national songs, popular food and famous Emirati sweets.