AJMAN / UMM AL QUWAIN // The smell of cooking meats, shisha and the roar of car engines filled the air across Ajman and Umm Al Quwain on Wednesday.
Beaches, parks and corniches in both emirates were packed with families making the most of the extra long public holiday and the perfect winter weather.
Mariam Abu Dagga, 13, was proudly wearing a T-shirt and cap in the colours of the UAE flag.
“I bought them because I love the UAE, where I find security,” said the Palestinian, who has lived in Ajman for nine years.
Ayas Al Hamdani, 18, showed his appreciation for his “second home” by wearing a UAE flag over his shoulders.
“The UAE is the second home country for every expat and I love to go out on the National Day and celebrate with Emiratis to share the joy of the occasion with them,” the Syrian business student said.
His friend Mohamad Naser, 17, agreed.
“I rarely go to my country, so the UAE is my homeland where I was born, raised and studied and I feel belonging to it,” the Jordanian mechanical engineering student said.
In Flag Park in Ajman’s Al Jurf neighbourhood, children played sport and ran about excitedly.
Umm Naser, 39, came to the park with her children to let them take part in the special day and celebrate life in the UAE.
“The UAE is my homeland, I have been here for 26 years,” the Jordanian financial analyst said.
“It is my country where I studied, got married and gave birth and work as well. I don’t consider myself an expatriate, I am the country’s daughter.
“Celebrating National Day means celebrating the history of development, progress and prosperity and I have lived all these here.”
The main roads in Ajman city were almost brought to a standstill by a parade of elaborately decorated cars and 4x4s all bearing images of the country’s Rulers and the UAE flag.
People stopped to take photos and applaud the drivers, who revved their engines and beeped horns in celebration.
Police officers were on hand to make sure the parade kept moving and the disruption to traffic was kept to a minimum.
In Umm Al Quwain, the least populous emirate, festivities had a more low-key feel as groups of families and friends headed to the corniche to enjoy the winter weather, picnics and barbecues.
Raheel Al Khatib, 33, was enjoying an alfresco feast with her family as the sun went down.
“I am Palestinian and I don’t have a homeland, so the UAE, where I have spent 33 years, is my homeland because it is the country that has embraced us and given us safety,” she said.
“I see National Day as the day that unites all citizens and residents.”
roueiti@thenational.ae