President Sheikh Mohamed hails UAE's 'culture, tradition and unity' at Union Day parade

UAE leader attends colourful March of the Union show in Abu Dhabi

President Sheikh Mohamed arrives at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba to attend the Union Parade. Rashed Al Mansoori / Presidential Court

An Emirati man holding a UAE flag rides a camel during the Union Parade at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Al Forsan aerobatics team perform a flyover at the Union Parade. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

A camel rider salutes at the parade. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Performers take part in the parade. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed watches the proceedings with King Hamad of Bahrain, and Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania. Mohamed Al Baloushi for the Presidential Court

Emirati girls and boys perform at the parade in Al Wathba. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, undersecretary to the Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, and Maj Gen Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Union Parade. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Khalifa bin Theyab Al Nahyan, left, takes part in a traditional dance at the parade. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

Performers at the Union Parade. Mohamed Al Baloushi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, takes a photograph of proceedings. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Mr Ould Ghazouani at the parade. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Al Forsan aerobatics team at the Union Parade. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Tribes take part in the Parade. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, private affairs adviser in the Presidential Court, takes part in a traditional dance with Maj Gen Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the UAE National and Reserve Service Authority. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, King Hamad and Mr Ould Ghazouani with Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Mohamed bin Saif Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Emirati girls dance in the Union Parade. Rashed Al Mansoori / Presidential Court

Performers hold the UAE flag high in the Union Parade. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

Al Forsan Aerobatic team perform. Mohamed Al Baloushi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, King Hamad and Mr Ould Ghazouani, as Sheikh Tahnoon waves to the crowd. Also pictures is Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Tribes take part in the Union Parade at Al Wathba. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

Performers in a mass Al Yola dance. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif takes part in a traditional dance. Rashed Al Mansoori / Presidential Court

Performers in the Union Parade, during the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

From left, Sheikha Fakhera bint Ahmed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al Nahyan and Sheikh Nasser bin Ahmed Al Nahyan at the celebration. Eissa Al Hammadi for the Presidential Court

Sheikh Saif, Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, UAE ambassador to Jordan, and other Sheikhs take part in a traditional dance. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed, King Hamad, Mr Ould Ghazouani and Sheikh Mansour arrive at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Rashed Al Mansoori / Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed hailed the UAE public for being “at the heart of shaping the future” after joining joyous celebrations at the nation's annual March of the Union on Sunday.

The colourful parade, held each year as part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi's Al Wathba area, is one of the highlights of the UAE's Union Day festivities.

Patriotic pride was on full display during a spectacular show paying homage to the culture and tradition of the Emirates.

Crowds enjoyed a dazzling fly-past aerial display which lit up the skies in the colours of the UAE flag, as well as a series of live performances paying homage to Emirati heritage.

“Today I attended the March of the Union and witnessed a stirring celebration of our nation’s culture, tradition and unity,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday evening.

“The UAE’s journey was made possible through the devotion of its people, and they will always be at the heart of shaping a better future.”

Sheikh Mohamed shared images on social media of Emiratis proudly waving the country's flag as part of the event.

A number of other high-profile figures enjoyed the cultural spectacle, including Bahrain's King Hamad and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

The UAE leader was also in attendance for an enthralling Union Day show held at Expo City Dubai, which was broadcast to millions on Saturday.

Public and private sector workers are enjoying a public holiday in Monday to mark the country's 52nd Union Day.

The occasion pays homage to the day on December 2, 1971, when the Rulers of six emirates came together to form the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah would join the union weeks later, in February 1972, completing the Emirates as it is known today.