His Excellency Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: “On the occasion of the 47^th anniversary of the unification of our armed forces, we salute our martyrs and brave soldiers who laid down their lives to defend our homeland and uphold its sovereignty. We congratulate our wise leadership on this momentous occasion and renew our promise to the nation to preserve our national identity based on our heritage and values. Consolidating culture as the pillar of our national ethos, we pass on the glories of our forefathers to the future generations, instilling pride and respect for our homeland. Together we work towards the Centennial Plan 2071 guided by the principles of the Fifty-Year Charter

and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and their brothers, the Members of the Federal Supreme Council.”

His Excellency added: “This is a special day in the history of our country, an occasion we celebrate with great fondness and respect for our founding fathers. Their dedication formed the bedrock of our great country. We remember the sacrifices of the heroes of our armed forces and their contribution to build our nation as we take strides towards a promising future.  The armed forces have been significant pillars of our growth and have contributed to enhancing the national spirit among young people as part of the national service program. The armed forces will always remain our heroes as they continue to uphold authentic Arab values.”