Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, today marked the UAE's 45th National Day and second Commemoration Day at the DSOA headquarters, with day-long activities and competitions that reflected a spirit of patriotism and national pride.
The commemorative event that celebrated the UAE’s heritage and traditions and paid tribute to the sacrifices of the UAE’s martyrs was headed by Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA, and drew the participation of DSOA’s staff, business partners and community members. To commemorate the spirit of the union, students from Rashid bin Saeed School in Hatta performed Emirati folkloric dance “Yola” at the DSOA headquarters.
Activities
DSOA organized a number of engaging activities across the premises of the integrated hi-tech park focused on diverse aspects of the UAE’s heritage. In the arts corner, visitors witnessed a live graffiti show and got the chance to stamp their fingerprints to make up a map of the UAE in the colors of the national flag. Likewise, a reading corner, aligned to the directives of the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who announced 2016 as the Year of Reading in the UAE, proved a crowd puller with volunteers reading books to children.
A welfare corner, hosted in partnership with the Management of the Penal and Correctional Institutions at Dubai Police, highlighted humanitarian stories and rewarded good deeds. In addition, traditional handicrafts made by inmates were on sale at the corner, with all proceeds marked to various correctional facilities. A big draw at the National Day event was the martyr’s corner, where visitors wrote personal letters expressing their gratitude, admiration, and reverence for the sacrifices of the martyrs. The letters were latter hung on a tree as a symbol of the nation’s pride and prosperity
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammed Alzarooni said: “We congratulate the UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as well as their Highnesses the Members of the Federal Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, and the wider UAE leadership, people and residents on this important national occasion.”
Dr Alzarooni added: “The founding fathers of the UAE envisioned that our great country would leverage limitless ambition to soar to unprecedented heights across all frontiers. Today, their dreams are well poised to become a reality under the directive of the UAE leadership that aims to place our country at the forefront of the world. At DSOA, we reaffirm our pledge on this important day to work relentlessly in achieving the ambitions of our leaders and the aspirations of the community we serve. The UAE will remain a source of pride and an exemplary model for nations around the world for the grandeur and scale of its achievements.”
He concluded: “We are gathered here today to mark the 45th anniversary of the Union, and to honor our brave soldiers as well as commemorate our martyrs that have sacrificed their lives in the call of duty. The noble lives of our martyred heroes will remain a beacon of honor, sacrifice and loyalty, as well as bravery in the face of all who threaten the stability and safety of our nation. We pray that God immerses them in His mercy, and pray that tranquility and serenity is bestowed upon their grieving families.”
Month-long Heritage Competition
Throughout the month of November, DSOA organized a number of heritage competitions ahead of the UAE National Day. In early November, the seven business units of DSOA competed in designing a booth that represents each emirate in the country. For the second week of the month, the entity organized a cooking competition among the business units for traditional Emirati food.
The judging panel included Bukhait Al Moqbali and Shaikha Al Kaabi from the Hatta Society for Culture and Heritage. The third week featured a car decoration contest based on the theme of the UAE National Day, and the staff of DSOA voted to decide the winner. In the last week of November, DSOA personnel participated in a treasure hunt rummaging through the premises in search of Al Mandoos (a traditional wooden chest).
A wholly-owned entity of the government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises, medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.
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