His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has expressed his thanks and appreciation to the soldiers and personnel of the UAE Armed Forces on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Armed Forces Unification Day, saying that the armed forces have become a key player in the UAE'soverall development, strengthening the nation's unity and identity.
Below is the full text of the statement made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Armed Forces Unification Day: "Dear brothers, sons and daughters, officers and soldiers of our valiant armed forces, May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. I salute you on the anniversary of the decision to unify the UAE armed forces that took place on 6th May 1976.
On this anniversary, I extend my appreciation and gratitude to our forefathers and all that they have given to our country and nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his brothers, members of the Federal Supreme Council.
I stand with you in honouring our righteous martyrs, and reiterate our commitment to ensuring the welfare of their families and provide comprehensive and lasting care for their children.
On this day, forty-one years ago, with the building of our armed forces, our federal state opened the widest possible horizons to consolidate its forces, strengthen its institutions and empower its citizens. This journey was not only a process of organisation, arming, training and rehabilitation, but also a strategic outlook so as to build the main axis to our nation’s strength.
In the midst of this strategic process, our armed forces have become a key player in the overall development and a symbol of national fusion that strengthens the unity of our home, deepens the contents of our UAE national identity, and strengthens our society as a whole.
As such, May 6th takes a special place in our lives, where it has fermented its place in history as the day where we ensured our right to self determination, to live in freedom and dignity in a proud nation, safeguarded by its sovereignty and commitment to security and stability.
Each year, the anniversary of the Armed Forces Unification Day gives us an opportunity to connect in our continued march towards building national capabilities that are in line with our nation’s edifice, ensuring its protection, security and stability. These capabilities are demonstrated in our nation’s superior models of recruits, as they are prepared to be leaders and master knowledge in various fields, whilst instilling loyalty and belonging to the homeland.
With the success of the national service programme among our armed forces, and the eager, enthusiastic commitment of our youth, emerges a generation that bears responsibility coupled with honour and pride of our nation’s character, engaging with the world with high moral values, great traditions, and positive attitudes.
Dear officers and soldiers, sons and daughters of the UAE, Ever since we have been on our country’s lands, we have faced some formidable challenges. From the days of our early ancestors, every generation has emerged as courageous Emiratisthat have faced their challenges and overcome them.
In the era of our modern history, our founding sons have risen up and faced the challenges of fragmentation, weakness and underdevelopment. These challenges were overcome through the establishment of our nation’s union and the unification of our forces, forming the rules of our state and the overall UAE model of development, progress and urbanisation.
The process of building the armed forces was one of the greatest challenges we have faced. Our success in forming our national military cadres was based on our accomplishments across all fields of development, especially in the fields of public and military education. We have succeeded in meeting these challenges with distinction. Our UAE model is progressing in all indicators of comprehensive development, and our armed forces are at the highest levels of preparedness and efficiency.
Our men and women form the highest ranks as recent military school graduates. They are capable of running the most sophisticated, advanced weapons and electronic systems, and carry out their duties to protect our homeland in the battlefields with courage and discipline.
Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Supreme Commander of the UAEArmed Forces, and the efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, a vibrant reality for our nation continues to grow, develop and compete in world markets.
Through their wise leadership, our nation continues to provide for our armed forces' modernisation drive, promotes the diversification of our economy, and opens up new horizons for our children in the fields of scientific research and innovation.
And today, after years of challenges posed by projects and conspiracies to destabilise the countries of the Arab region, and the spread of chaos and violence within it, as Emiratis we continue to confront these challenges as part of our duties and responsibilities, ensuring our success in promoting development and prosperity.
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