Safeefah-made UAE Flag Keeps Tradition Flying High

The UAE’s largest Safeefah-made flag, measuring three metres by 10 metres has been unveiled to commemorate National Flag Day. Thirty-seven Emirati women have worked hand-in-hand to create the emblem, patiently weaving 8,000 strands of palm fronds in an age old technique to celebrate the love of their country.

The women, artisans at the Bidwa Social Development Programme, an initiative of the Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, worked tirelessly to craft the flag, which was proudly unveiled today (Thursday) by the Flag Pole in Dibba Al Hisn in the Emirate of Sharjah, during the ceremony organised by the Municipal Council of Dibba Al Hisn, and Dibba Al Hisn Municipality.

The flag will be on display until UAE National Day on December 2. Using traditional techniques, the idea behind the flag was inspired by the women themselves and symbolises the beauty that lies in Emirati traditions.

Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, the umbrella organisation for Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, said the flag is a tribute to the women’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to the UAE, and is a result of the great support provided by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, Founder and Royal Patron of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, to empower women in traditional crafts.

The flag unveiling ceremony was attended by Engineer Ali Ahmad bin Yarouf, Head of the Municipal Council of Dibba Al Hisn, Matar Ahmad Al Khishri, Director of Emiri Diwan of Dibba Al Hisn, Talib Abdullah Safar, Director of Dibba Al Hisn Municipality, Colonel Ahmad Abdullah Bin Yarouf, Director of Dibba Al Hisn Police Centre, and a number of Government department directors and employees.

“It is a wonderful achievement for these women to create such an impressive piece of work using only traditional crafts. The work itself is stunning, but the devotion and care that have gone into making such an intricate piece is what makes it a true labour of love,” BinKaram added.

“The Bidwa Social Development Programme continues to support the modernisation of traditional crafts through skills development and training, and as we see from this flag, it is a skill which is very much alive and continues to flourish.”