Hundreds of people cheering the decorated cars on the Corniche, buildings decorated with lights and fireworks means only one thing: National Day, celebrating the country's unification in 1971.
At the American International School in Abu Dhabi (AISA), this year's celebrations were even larger than last year's. Students and staff dressed in traditional Emirati outfits, a group of Bedouins performed traditional dances and author Mohammed al Fahim signed copies of his book From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi.
“There were also horses, camels, falcons and traditional bread making,” said Ms Elizabeth Spegele, the girls' assistant principal for the secondary school. Attendees enjoyed a tent for henna making, and a full lunch on the boys and girls sides with traditional Emirati food.
Both the boys and girls assemblies had readings from the Qu'ran and viewings of student-produced short videos on "What is Abu Dhabi?" that combined traditional culture with the expat perspectives on life in the capital.
At the boys assembly, Ibrahim Al Hashidi (Grade 12) read from the Qu'ran, then students performed the traditional stick dance. Students read poems and folklore in Arabic about the seven emirates.
“It's a good way of representing the connection between the school and country. At the same time it helps portray an image to the AISA community about the cultures and traditions of the UAE,” said Al-Hashidi. “Plus every year we get new people, so it’s a good way of helping them to get to know the history of the UAE.”
At the girls assembly, Maryam Al Mannaie (Grade 12) read from the Qu'ran, then middle school and high school students performed dances, with seniors performing a mix of Indian, Emirati, Egyptian and modern tunes. There was also an Arabic poetry reading and a dialogue on what National Day means to expats.
Lamees Al Makkawy (Grade 11) said, “[It] was an excellent demonstration of the UAE’s culture as well as a variety of others, highlighting the importance of being an international school and community.”
Farida Nasser, age 16
