Why UAE National Day is now called Eid Al Etihad: What it means for residents
December 2 has long been a day of national pride, unity and celebration in the UAE — for over 50 years, in fact. Yet you might have spotted a trend in the last couple of years — in official posters, newspaper articles and across TV and radio broadcasts: the UAE National Day seems to have a new name. You’ll now see and hear Eid Al Etihad.
Why has it changed, and why does it matter to the country?
“We call UAE’s national day Eid Al Etihad. It marks December 2, 1971, when the seven emirates united under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to form the UAE.”
“It’s much more than a holiday; it’s a celebration of our nation, its unity, shared identity, achievements and collective future.” Eisa Alsubousi, Director of Strategic and Creative Affairs, Eid Al Etihad Team
Eid Al Etihad literally translates to Celebration of the Union. The name is not new, explained Alsubousi, but rather a return to the authentic Arabic name the founding leaders called this day.
“The official celebration name is Eid Al Etihad. The name was revived in the run-up to the 2020 celebration. It reaffirmed the UAE’s true identity and placed the union of the emirates at the heart of the celebration, not as a new name but as a return to the authentic title that truly reflected the spirit of unity and belonging”
“The use of Eid Al Etihad unites the country with a single voice, aligning language and identity across institutions, partners and the public, while anchoring the celebrations today in a heritage that goes back centuries and a shared future under a single flag.
In other words: it’s a return to the beginning, back when the seven emirates came together and became one.
More than a holiday
Why Eid Al Etihad? For Alsubousi, it’s more than a change of name – it’s a statement.
“The name Eid Al Etihad represents the true spirit of unity that has defined the UAE since its very inception. Eid Al Etihad, which means literally ‘celebration of the union’, symbolises how our unity is not just part of our history but the driving force behind our success. It’s a reminder that every individual, every community, has contributed to our achievements and that as we look to the future, our strength is in moving forward, united in pride and shared achievement.”
This year’s celebrations are managed by the 54th Eid Al Etihad Team, under the chairmanship of Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice Chair Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“The Eid Al Etihad Team was established to manage the celebrations around this year’s Eid Al Etihad. The team was formed under the chairmanship of Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as Vice Chair.
“Their objective is to bring together the official Eid Al Etihad celebrations and cement this occasion for all of those who have made the UAE their home. Through a series of collaborations across different initiatives and cultural programmes that take place around the country, it will be a fitting celebration of our collective pride, and a reflection of our gratitude to our country.”
Where tradition meets modernity
The identity also captures the values of joy, hospitality and belonging that mark Emirati culture. “Yes. The name Eid Al Etihad captures a spirit of unity while evoking the traditions of joy, gathering, and sharing that are so deeply rooted in Emirati culture. It also encourages the continuation of the kind of practices that bring families and communities together and strengthen them. Year after year, Eid Al Etihad will remind us that the nation’s greatest strength lies in its unity and that this comes from all communities, from every part of the country coming together under one flag, one leadership, and one future.”
The way in which people come together to celebrate Eid Al Etihad is also changing. “The spirit of how Emiratis celebrate remains consistent in its focus on unity, pride, and our shared traditions. It is the way in which we express it that has changed: there is broader participation, more ambitious creative initiatives, and new platforms to welcome every generation and community to take part. The essence of how we celebrate endures, as it will continue to honour the values that have always defined this national occasion.”
“This year’s celebrations also represent the adaptive spirit of the nation, a spirit that comes from the deep connection this country has to its land and its people. As the UAE has developed from its desert roots into a global crossroads, the way we celebrate has found ways to combine tradition with modernity and shows how progress and heritage can thrive side by side.”
Inclusivity also lies at the core of Eid Al Etihad. The creative team has come up with initiatives that give artists, designers and local businesses the chance to be involved.
“We launched initiatives to ensure that the celebration was relatable to every single Emirati and resident. Most importantly, we introduced a Merchandise Open Call. We invited artists, designers, creative businesses, and manufacturers to create product concepts that carry the Eid Al Etihad brand. This not only enables participation beyond the official ceremony, but it also extends the unified identity nationwide and is in keeping with the inclusive spirit of the occasion.”
A unified brand
This rebrand is not just verbal – it’s visual, as well. Every logo, colour and digital asset of the 54th celebration are aligned to a single design system that brings the seven emirates together.
“Yes. The full Eid Al Etihad brand guidelines are available at www.EidAlEtihad.ae.
“They have developed a shared visual language for this year’s theme, United, while allowing celebration partners across all seven emirates the freedom to express their local identity. The brand guidelines include the dynamic logo system, colour and typography specs, co-branding rules, and ready-to-use templates (posters, digital screens, social assets and on-site applications),” added Alsubousi in an official statement.
On the national occasion’s future, Alsubousi said Eid Al Etihad represents the UAE’s past and its vision for decades to come.
“Celebrating unity reflects the UAE’s vision to preserve our shared heritage whilst advancing towards a future of innovation, sustainability and global leadership. It ensures that pride in our identity remains a guiding force, inspiring future generations to carry forward the values that have shaped the nation since its founding,” he added.
This, he said, sends a powerful message to the young. “Eid Al Etihad inspires younger generations by connecting them to the Founding Fathers’ legacy and the values that built this nation: unity, generosity, service and care for the safety and prosperity of humanity.
It reminds them that they are the carriers of our cultural values and turns those ideals into action through school programmes, creative initiatives and digital participation, so the spirit of the Union lives on in how they study, work and serve their communities,” he added.
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