National Geographic Abu Dhabi is Set to Premiere the First-Ever Documentary on the UAE National Service

For the first time ever, on 29 June 2015, leading documentary channel National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) – part of Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) – will premiere ‘Every Emirati’s Son’, an unprecedented look into the lives of six young Emiratis who are in the throes of completing their national service training. The four-part documentary series follows their journey as they transform into young soldiers capable of protecting their country.

The young Emiratis are part of one of many batches of UAE National Service recruits aged 18 to 30. ‘Every Emirati’s Son’ – which will air exclusively on NGAD – sheds light on their unique perspective as they endure the challenging physical and mental demands of military service. 

Commenting on the launch, H.E. Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmoud, Abu Dhabi Media chairman and managing director, said: “As a leading supporter of the nation’s initiatives, Abu Dhabi Media is committed to showcasing key aspects that relate to the Emirati community. This documentary gives an in-depth and unique look into the lives of recruits, particularly during their military service, highlighting all that the UAE’s national service encompasses. From the intensive training that they undergo, to the life-long friendships that result – the UAE’s national service truly enforces national unity and further instills a sense of patriotism amongst Emirati nationals. It also contributes to their personal development, allowing them to be an inspiration to the UAE’s future generations.”

Sanjay Raina, National Geographic Abu Dhabi Middle East, echoed that statement, adding: “We are excited to provide our viewers with a never-before-seen look into the UAE’s National Service and the transformations that recruits have to go through as they adjust to rigorous training routines. At NGAD, we strive to bring our viewers the best in regional content with unsurpassed, cutting-edge topics. This documentary presents a unique opportunity for us to bring together viewers from across the Arab region so they can, together, witness the power of national pride. It is a true honor to be able to share these recruits’ touching personal stories. In line with this, we would like to thank the GHQ UAE Armed Forces – National Service and Reserve Authority, and Moral Guidance of UAE's Armed Forces; their invaluable contributions and efforts were key to bringing this project to life.”

Each episode charts the progress of the young recruits – as they grow, develop, and evolve – using interviews with a variety of military personnel and young trainees to tell the story. In addition to covering life on military training camps, the documentary series also touches on the recruits’ personal lives.

“Broadcasting ‘Every Emirati’s Son’ on National Geographic Abu Dhabi is a testament to ADM’s Television Network’s commitment to communicating local matters to the community,” explained Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh, Abu Dhabi Media’s Executive Director of Television. “The aim is to share with the UAE society the experiences of our recruits while they embark on a journey to proudly serve their nation.”

Don’t miss a first look at the UAE National Service! ‘Every Emirati’s Son’ premieres on National Geographic Abu Dhabi on June 29 at 9:50pm UAE time. The show will air at that exact time every Monday until July 13. 

The documentary was filmed with the help of a large creative team and technical crew; it was produced over a period of nine months using the latest film-making technology.