Thousands join national parade to Qasr Al Hosn

Thousands of people converged in the capital on Thursday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Qasr Al Hosn, the birth place of the Abu Dhabi emirate and the UAE Federation. The procession of Emirati men and women in traditional attire, headed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, started from Al Falah Street near Minhal Palace and ended at the old fort, the landmark of the capital city. The parade was also attended by several Shaikhs, government officials and residents from across the country who had gathered to express loyalty and strength of the union developed by late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Al Hosn Fort was first built in 1761 (and then expanded in 1763) by the Nahyan dynasty who migrated from to Abu Dhabi from Liwa. A major part of the city was choke-a-block with people who had gathered to watch the carnival while all the busy and main streets remained deserted. The main routes of the parade were blocked with tight security. “I have to go to the other side of the road to my residence, but I’m not allowed. It seems the entire UAE is here in the Capital to express solidarity for the country and admire the iconic, historical landmarks like Al Hosn Palace,” said Rolf Schwartz, an old-time European resident of the Capital. “The Rulers of the country and the government deserve this kind of support in return for what the people are getting in terms of education, health services, the world’s best civic services and jobs assured,” said Mohammed Ameen from Pakistan, another spectator. He said Emiratis are lucky people to have all these privileges thanks to their Rulers and the government. “I wish I was an Emirati,” he added. For 30-year-old Ubaid Al Marzouki, an Emirati, it was the biggest parade he had seen. The carnival began from Minal Palace to Al Hosn Palace covering a distance of almost seven kilometres that took over four hours to reach. Close to 10,000 people were part of the carnival. “If open to all, the whole UAE would have joined the parade and flooded the capital to attend the opening of the first Al Hosn Festival at Al Hosn Palace,” said Aisha Al Balushi, an Emirati student watching the parade at distance. At the old fort, there were a number of Emirati traditional folkloric groups waiting for Shaikh Mohammed and and General Shaikh Mohammed. The two leaders also met and interacted with the organisers of the festival and participants, particularly old Emiratis men and women. “It is a wonderful experience to be part of the great event. I believe it has to be an annual event where we get very close to our leaders as it happened today,” said Abdullah Al Reyami, another young Emirati. A theatrical show, which takes the audience on a historical journey, and other attractions will continue until March 9. - Khaleejtimes