![A street in Ras Al Khaimah decorated with UAE flags before the National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LNDQLSKNOCD7K5EEE72DGARGUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=878c73bcbac4a3223aaefb443e7196ab7121aed62802b0b32abfa2d2786e49c3&width=400&height=225)
![Rashid Al Shehhi, an Emirati decorated his home village of Ghalilah in Ras Al Khaimah with flags and pictures of the UAE leaders. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BK5BRAIBFJEIXU7IKL3W7FDJ5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=214a681e34750a4c048b0eb1ddfb64e248876a9522424c93848656ca60375350&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi said it was his duty to his country to keep safe during the pandemic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U77RQ5AROLI747R2KI7K5FBTWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a5467c3389eca13b0ffc34d6c15491b38f5090f70433cac0aa5866025762f0d&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi, 34, installed 126 UAE flags and two huge posters of UAE leaders in the town, including one of Sheikh Zayed.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GH22T6C6AGGFX5OE4QG66DEA2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a4913938c52b2ae3041cd0e50e3006522c6a3ab614b525501e09d02d7a92617&width=400&height=225)
![A poster of President Sheikh Khalifa put up on a road in Ras Al Khaimah before the UAE’s 49th National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5A67DVA4IX6YMRUAGUVR23D3EM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d7aa9c749745130ed3726e1a76e3f3c8028f455c4c430ab0a707d468f4f4414&width=400&height=225)
![A poster of UAE's Founding Father Sheikh Zayed put up on a road in Ras Al Khaimah before the UAE’s 49th National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GVWDZ7ULFC3IKWFIKJHC7LVSTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d90f3c8e196a00d8823627215fafe6b402e30ece865a13a359e9c706906fcb2&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi hoisting the UAE flag.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UED3N6L2R6PVFLPMIIAFYSGHJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e79764cdcb88705fbf803023cac4bb66161985d44c009e6e4f5b5cf6ce758446&width=400&height=225)
![A street in Ras Al Khaimah decorated with UAE flags before the National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LNDQLSKNOCD7K5EEE72DGARGUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=878c73bcbac4a3223aaefb443e7196ab7121aed62802b0b32abfa2d2786e49c3&width=400&height=225)
![Rashid Al Shehhi, an Emirati decorated his home village of Ghalilah in Ras Al Khaimah with flags and pictures of the UAE leaders. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BK5BRAIBFJEIXU7IKL3W7FDJ5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=214a681e34750a4c048b0eb1ddfb64e248876a9522424c93848656ca60375350&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi said it was his duty to his country to keep safe during the pandemic.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U77RQ5AROLI747R2KI7K5FBTWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=1a5467c3389eca13b0ffc34d6c15491b38f5090f70433cac0aa5866025762f0d&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi, 34, installed 126 UAE flags and two huge posters of UAE leaders in the town, including one of Sheikh Zayed.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GH22T6C6AGGFX5OE4QG66DEA2Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a4913938c52b2ae3041cd0e50e3006522c6a3ab614b525501e09d02d7a92617&width=400&height=225)
![A poster of President Sheikh Khalifa put up on a road in Ras Al Khaimah before the UAE’s 49th National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5A67DVA4IX6YMRUAGUVR23D3EM.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d7aa9c749745130ed3726e1a76e3f3c8028f455c4c430ab0a707d468f4f4414&width=400&height=225)
![A poster of UAE's Founding Father Sheikh Zayed put up on a road in Ras Al Khaimah before the UAE’s 49th National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GVWDZ7ULFC3IKWFIKJHC7LVSTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6d90f3c8e196a00d8823627215fafe6b402e30ece865a13a359e9c706906fcb2&width=400&height=225)
![Mr Al Shehhi hoisting the UAE flag.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UED3N6L2R6PVFLPMIIAFYSGHJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e79764cdcb88705fbf803023cac4bb66161985d44c009e6e4f5b5cf6ce758446&width=400&height=225)
![A street in Ras Al Khaimah decorated with UAE flags before the National Day.](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LNDQLSKNOCD7K5EEE72DGARGUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=878c73bcbac4a3223aaefb443e7196ab7121aed62802b0b32abfa2d2786e49c3&width=400&height=225)
How residents are preparing to enjoy National Day after a tough year
December 2 parades were put on hold to avoid gatherings - but the significance of the day will not be lost
Kelly Clarke
November 28, 2020
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic
November 28, 2020