On the dawn of December 2, 1971, a profound historical transformation unfolded at Union House in Dubai as the United Arab Emirates flag ascended for the inaugural time, heralding the birth of a sovereign nation. Among the privileged few witnessing this seminal event was Khalifa Al Suwaidi, who accompanied the revered Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on his momentous journey from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.
In exclusive recollections shared with Khaleej Times, Al Suwaidi delineated the pre-dawn departure from Abu Dhabi, emphasizing Sheikh Zayed’s remarkable composure amidst the epochal significance of the day. “I occupied the vehicle directly trailing Sheikh Zayed’s conveyance,” Al Suwaidi recounted. “His demeanor remained characteristically tranquil and contemplative, as though he visualized the nation’s entirety before its formal proclamation.”
The procession incorporated a strategically pivotal interlude at Jebel Ali—then an undeveloped desert terrain, now a globally consequential economic zone. Here, Sheikh Zayed engaged in profound discourse with his compatriots regarding the philosophical foundations of statehood. Al Suwaidi preserved the leader’s indelible declaration: “Today, we initiate national construction not merely upon sand, but upon mutual affection and collaborative endeavor.”
The culminating ceremony at Union House witnessed Al Suwaidi positioned mere steps behind Sheikh Zayed during the flag-raising ritual. “As Sheikh Zayed grasped the flagpole, profound silence enveloped the assembly,” he described. “Universal awareness prevailed that we observed the genesis of extraordinary historical developments. The flag’s ascent elicited visceral chills and emotional tears among attendees.”
Beyond the political implications, Al Suwaidi’s reminiscences illuminate Sheikh Zayed’s exemplary human qualities and leadership paradigm. “His consistent reverence toward all individuals—leaders, military personnel, and laborers alike—manifested his conviction that authentic unity originates from benevolence, reciprocal cooperation, and unified objectives.”
Five decades subsequent to this transformative occurrence, Al Suwaidi acknowledges persistent emotional resonance when observing the UAE flag aloft. The memory embodies not merely historical recollection but an enduring testament to visionary leadership and the nation’s extraordinary developmental trajectory.