The UAE celebrated Saudi Arabia’s 86th National Day with Saudis yesterday. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said “We celebrate Saudi National Day with our brothers in the kingdom” and “We congratulate the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia on National Day. We appreciate the stances of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques who has returned the spirit of solidarity to the Arabs and Muslims. While we celebrate this glorious occasion we renew our solidarity with the kingdom and we stand by its determination and resoluteness, and we are optimistic about our joint future”.

The Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered a major street in Dubai called “Al-Sufouh Street” to be renamed King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Street in recognition of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s achievements in the region and the wider Muslim world.

Officials at Dubai airport organised a welcome reception, greeting Saudi passengers and offering them sweets and flowers. An airport official said this was a gesture of friendship between the UAE and the kingdom and highlighted the strength of relations between the two countries.

Emirates airline and members of the Real Madrid football team made a video message congratulating the Saudi people on the occasion of the 86th Saudi National Day, and 11 Real Madrid players personally congratulated them. They include Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, James Rodríguez and Sergio Ramos.

Abu Dhabi TV Network also participated in National Day celebrations by broadcasting live programmes and special coverage of the celebrations to mark the occasion. The Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Media Mohamed Al-Mahmood said that “Abu Dhabi Media is keen to keep up with all national events related to the unity of the peoples of the region which reflects its mission to highlight the vision of the leadership and support the aspirations of Emirati and Gulf society and its values”.