Tradition: this is how RAK celebrates National Day

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attends National Day celebrations. Wam

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Traditional dances and folklore songs set the celebration theme in RAK.

The RAK Heritage Village featured music, prizes and competitions for children, while other residents went to the Corniche to celebrate and watch a parade.

The Culture, Youth and Community Development Centre celebrated the birthdays of those born on December 2, along with the usual National Day festivities.

Meanwhile, visitors and residents had celebrated at Corniche Al Quawasim with a cultural operetta called Ekhwan Shamma.

Local children entertained a crowd of 5,000 people with traditional Emirati music, including the National Anthem, and there were performances from local artists including Al Wasmi, Balqees Ahmed Fathi, Samir Ahmed and Ahmed Al Jasmi. The operetta opened on Tuesday.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of RAK, attended, as did Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud, Crown Prince of RAK, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud.

RAK tourism officials also attended the event, which was organised by the RAK Tourism Development Authority.

“Today marks the country’s 44th National Day and we are proud to be one of the world’s fastest growing and most welcoming countries,” said Haitham Mattar, the authority’s chief executive.

“As an emirate, we’ve taken this opportunity to come together and recognise all the great achievements Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed over the past year.

“We look forward to many more years of success as we continue to work towards our goal of welcoming 1 million visitors by the end of 2018.”

Hamda Al Awadhi, 33, an Emirati who saw the operetta, said the event made for “a great evening”.

“I used to hear the students practising the operetta at the Corniche when I went out for a walk, and I was so excited to see them perform,” she said.

“The celebration managed to express our feelings towards the country and how much we love it.

“The modesty of our Ruler and how he interacted with the residents and danced to the traditional songs had made me very proud of who I am and where I come from.”

The emirate’s Al Marjan Island hosted a mini market, food truck, fireworks and children’s activities on the Corniche, which will continue until Saturday, from 4pm to 10pm.