The story of the UAE flag is well known, but one always worth retelling.
It was created by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, then just 19, after reading a newspaper article about a contest to design the new nation’s flag.
Mr Al Maainah, who much later would become the UAE ambassador to Chile, only realised he won as he watched the flag being raised for the first time at Mushrif Palace on December 2, 1971.
The flag is celebrated every year on Flag Day, on November 3.
But the full story of flags in the UAE is much older than 50 years. It can be traced back hundreds of years when the sailing dhows of the Arabian Gulf often identified themselves with a red flag, usually in the form of a pennant fluttering from the mast.
How each emirate got its flag before the unification
For British naval ships that increasingly patrolled the Gulf in the early 19th century, though, red flags signalled a potential enemy.
A series of destructive raids by Britain along the coast of the Northern Emirates resulted in a series of enforced treaties, or truces, that effectively gave the British control over the Gulf, and the emirates the name “Trucial States”.
The 1819 General Treaty also established how Arab shipping along the Gulf should identify themselves as non-hostile.
“The friendly Arabs shall carry by land and sea a red flag, with or without letters in it, at their option,” it specified.
“This shall be in a border of white, the breadth of the white in the border being equal to the breadth of the red, as represented in the margin (the whole forming the flag known in the British Navy by the title of white pierced red).”
It concluded “this shall be the flag of the friendly Arabs, and they shall use it, and no other”.
In practice, the designs varied between states, from Bahrain to Ras Al Khaimah. Among the seven Trucial States that now form the UAE, five distinct flags emerged, some with the ruler’s personal touch.
Much later, in the 1950s, the British established the Trucial States Council, a consultative body for the rulers of the seven emirates, and which, almost forgotten, was also given a flag that featured a green seven-point star and a white and red design.
These three shades, along with black, are generally known as the Pan Arab colours, and feature on the flags of nine Arab countries, including the UAE.
Here is the complete guide to the flags of the UAE, past and present.
The current UAE flag
Mr Al Maainah’s design is a green, white and black horizontal tricolour with a vertical red band nearest the flagpole.
To see if it had been chosen, he ran to Mushrif Palace and peeked through the fence as it was raised for the first time on the morning of December 2, 1971.
“There was no wind that day, so I waited until there was a draft to make sure that the flag up there at the pole was mine,” he told The National.
Green represented the Caliphate of the Fatimids, who ruled out of Egypt, while Red was the Ottoman flag and represented blood.
Finally, white symbolised the Prophet Mohammed’s first victory, at the Battle of Badr in 624 CE, but also peace.
Other variations of the Pan Arab colours attribute red to the Hashemite dynasty, but also a quote from the 14th century Iraqi poet Safi Al Din Al Hilli: “White are our acts, black our battles, green our fields, and red our swords”.
He is reported to have been presented with a number of alternatives created by a British diplomat, Sir Mark Sykes.
Ironically, Sykes, with the French diplomat François Picot, would that year also draw up the infamous Sykes-Picot Agreement, which created many of the divisions in the Middle East that still exist today.
Abu Dhabi's flag
The flag of Abu Dhabi is still occasionally seen today. It is red, with a white square in the top corner.
In fact, this is a relatively new version. Until the late 1950s, Abu Dhabi used a plain red flag, at least on land.
In 1958, the then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Shakbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, announced to Britain that he would be adding a white square “on its upper side corner to take one third of the width and slightly more than one third of the length of the flag”.
It was flown for the first time on February 27, 1958, and was used for state occasions until December 1971, when the UAE flag was adopted.
Dubai and Ajman's flag
The flag of Dubai is red, with a white band next to the hoist, as the flag staff is technically known. In the early 1960s, oil companies also agreed to fly the Dubai flag when operating in the emirate. Ajman’s official flag also uses the same design.
Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah's flag
The fact Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah use the same design is also a reflection of their past, with both Emirates ruled by branches of the Al Qasimi family.
The flag is red with a white border, whose width is a quarter of the total and most closely resembles the design proposed by the British in the 1820, perhaps unsurprisingly, since the British military expeditions that led to the signing of the treaty were directed at the Al Qasimis.
Umm Al Quwain's flag
The flag of Umm Al Quwain is a design created in 1961 by the ruler, Sheikh Ahmad bin Rashid Al Mualla, who had ruled the Emirate since 1928 and was the oldest leader at the ceremony to create the UAE in 1971.
The flag features a white band next to the hoist, white crescent moon and a five-point star, both symbols of Islam.
According to British diplomatic files, the ruler initially wished a plain red background, but added a white band after it was pointed out the original design might be confused with the flag of Turkey. Its official use was confirmed in May, 1961.
Before that date, Umm Al Quwain had adopted the same design as Dubai and Ajman.
Fujairah's flag
Fujairah’s flag reflects its history. At the time of the signing of the General Treaty with Britain in 1819, it was considered part of the Sultanate of Muscat, and adopted the plain red flag used there. Around 1850, it came under Sharjah, and was accepted as an emirate in 1902, although the UK government did not recognise it as a Trucial State until 1952.
The Ruler of Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, at this point replaced the red flag with one that included the name of the emirate in white Arabic letters.
In 1961, Fujairah is understood to have reverted to the old red flag until 1975, when the current ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, replaced it with the flag of the UAE.
The flag of the Trucial States Council
Established in 1952, the Trucial States Council was a consultative body set up by the UK and chaired by the political agent, Britain’s top administrative official who was replaced by an ambassador in 1971.
The council consisted of the rulers of the seven emirates, but lacked funding and met just twice a year. It did, however, have a flag. The design incorporated red stripes at the top and bottom, with white between, and a seven-point green star in the centre, each point presumably to represent an emirate.
The flag is almost identical with that of Lebanon, which features a cedar tree rather than a star, but there is no indication this in anything other than a coincidence.
It does not seem to have been widely used, but badges of the Trucial Oman Scouts, the paramilitary force established by Britain, sometimes use a similar colour scheme, with the crossed khanjar daggers of the regiment instead of a star.
Four-day collections of TOH
Day Indian Rs (Dh)
Thursday 500.75 million (25.23m)
Friday 280.25m (14.12m)
Saturday 220.75m (11.21m)
Sunday 170.25m (8.58m)
Total 1.19bn (59.15m)
(Figures in millions, approximate)
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWafeq%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%202019%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadim%20Alameddine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Esoftware%20as%20a%20service%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERaed%20Ventures%20and%20Wamda%2C%20among%20others%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
More from Mohammed Alardhi
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGuillermo%20del%20Toro%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tim%20Blake%20Nelson%2C%20Sebastian%20Roche%2C%20Elpidia%20Carrillo%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
All%20We%20Imagine%20as%20Light
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPayal%20Kapadia%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kani%20Kusruti%2C%20Divya%20Prabha%2C%20Chhaya%20Kadam%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Cloud%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20George%20Karam%20and%20Kamil%20Rogalinski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Olayan%20Financing%2C%20Rua%20Growth%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Last five meetings
2013: South Korea 0-2 Brazil
2002: South Korea 2-3 Brazil
1999: South Korea 1-0 Brazil
1997: South Korea 1-2 Brazil
1995: South Korea 0-1 Brazil
Note: All friendlies
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Results
Female 49kg: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) bt Thamires Aquino (BRA); points 0-0 (advantage points points 1-0).
Female 55kg: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Amal Amjahid (BEL); points 4-2.
Female 62kg: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR); 10-2.
Female 70kg: Thamara Silva (BRA) bt Alessandra Moss (AUS); submission.
Female 90kg: Gabreili Passanha (BRA) bt Claire-France Thevenon (FRA); submission.
Male 56kg: Hiago George (BRA) bt Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA); 2-2 (2-0)
Male 62kg: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) bt Joao Miyao (BRA); 2-2 (2-1)
Male 69kg: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Isaac Doederlein (USA); 2-2 (2-2) Ref decision.
Male 77kg: Tommy Langarkar (NOR) by Oliver Lovell (GBR); submission.
Male 85kg: Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE); 2-2 (1-1) Ref decision.
Male 94kg: Kaynan Duarte (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL); submission.
Male 110kg: Joao Rocha (BRA) bt Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE); submission.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 1,200m.
8.15pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,200m.
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 1,600m.
9.20pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 2,000m.
ENGLAND SQUAD
For first two Test in India Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, James Anderson , Dom Bess, Stuart Broad , Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes. Reserves James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
