UAE Announces 14 Guidelines for Safe 53rd National Day Celebrations

As the United Arab Emirates looks forward to its 53rd National Day, more commonly called Eid Al Etihad these days, so do the citizens, who should not forget a set of 14 key rules before they can actually celebrate in an orderly and safe manner. The rules have been listed by the Ministry of Interior, whose primary focus areas are traffic safety and vehicle usage, all in a move to keep the celebrations non-disruptive and accident-free.

1. Avoid planning or engaging in spontaneous demonstrations and rallies.
2. Obey all road traffic rules and orders from traffic police.
3. Do not spray party colors by drivers, passengers, or pedestrians.
4. Do not cover the front and rear number plates of the vehicle; do not change the color or tint/darken the front windows.
5. Do not affix stickers, signs, or logos on the vehicle unless approved by the official Eid Al Etihad committee.
6. Do not exceed the allowed number of passengers in a vehicle or allow anyone to exit through the windows or sunroof.
7. Do not make unauthorized modifications to vehicles that cause noise or obstruct visibility.
8. Do not obstruct traffic or block roads for emergency vehicles, and do not perform stunts.
9. Do not perform stunts on internal or external roads.
10. Do not cover vehicle windows with stickers, and do not use sunshades that block visibility.
11. Only scarves made for Eid Al Etihad celebrations should be worn.
12. Only the UAE flag should be raised; flags of other countries are not allowed.
13. Songs and chants should be limited to those officially related to Eid Al Etihad celebrations.
14. Decoration shops and drivers should follow official guidelines regarding the use of stickers and flags, only displaying the UAE flag or related decorations.

During the long weekend from December 2-3, there are various festivities across the UAE to be enjoyed by the residents. There will be a six-day celebration in Dubai with deals on shopping, acrobatic performances, and fireworks, while Sharjah has offered free museum entry and cultural activities. The official Eid Al Etihad event will take place in Al Ain while, several activities have been planned for Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah as well, to celebrate the festive mood all around the country.