UAE businesses rally behind leadership, raise national flag in powerful show of unity

Business leaders across the UAE have expressed strong support for the call by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to raise the country’s flag, describing the initiative as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and national pride during a time of regional uncertainty.

From retail giants to real estate developers, executives have echoed a shared sentiment: the UAE is not just a place of business, but a home that has provided stability, opportunity, and a sense of belonging for decades.

The act of raising the national flag, they say, goes far beyond symbolism – it reflects deep-rooted loyalty and collective confidence in the nation’s leadership and future.

The move aimed at reflecting the unity and to recognise how Emiratis and expatriates stood behind one flag during the recent regional military conflict.

Yusuffali MA, chairman of Lulu Group, highlighted his long-standing connection with the country, noting that the UAE has been his home for more than five decades.

“Every challenge only reinforces the unity and resilience of this great nation,” he said, emphasising that while crises may be temporary, the strength of the UAE and its leadership is enduring.

During challenging periods, he added Lulu Group remained committed to ensuring food security and maintaining public confidence – a responsibility Yusuffali described as central to the company’s role in society.

Expressing gratitude to the leadership, he affirmed his intention to proudly raise the UAE flag at both his home and workplace as a mark of loyalty and appreciation.

Similarly, Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of Danube Group, said the UAE flag represents far more than a national emblem.

“It reflects our shared ambition and unity as a nation,” he said, adding that the leadership’s call serves as a reminder of the values that define the country – resilience, ambition, and collective identity.

Sajan noted that displaying the flag across homes and workplaces sends a strong message of trust in leadership and belief in the nation’s people. “It is a moment that brings communities together in a shared sense of pride,” he added.

Kamal Vachani, deputy CEO and group director of Al Maya Group, described raising the national flag as more than a symbolic act, calling it a reflection of deep respect and commitment to the country.

“We fully support this call and will actively encourage all our branches, employees, and communities to participate wholeheartedly,” Vachani said, adding that the UAE’s values of tolerance, opportunity, and progress are reinforced through such initiatives, inspiring residents to stand together as one nation.

For Dhananjay Datar, chairman and managing director of Adil Group, the initiative comes at a time when the UAE has demonstrated extraordinary stability amid regional challenges.

He pointed to the country’s ability to navigate a prolonged period of pressure without panic or disruption, praising the calm and confidence shown by its leadership. Public appearances by Sheikh Mohammed during tense moments, he noted, sent a reassuring message that the nation remains steadfast and secure.

“We will absolutely raise the UAE flag at our company premises,” Datar said, calling it the least that residents can do to express gratitude for the safety and opportunities the country provides. He described the flag as a testament to the UAE’s core values of strength, unity, and loyalty.

Real estate developers have also joined the call, underlining their long-term connection with the country’s growth story.

Ajay Rajendran, founder and chairman of Meraki Developers, said his organisation would mark the moment of national solidarity across its offices.

“Having been part of the country’s real estate journey for over two decades, we have witnessed its resilience and strategic foresight firsthand,” he said.

Rajendran confirmed that the UAE flag would be raised across company buildings, describing the gesture as a meaningful reflection of respect and alignment with national values.

He added that the directive resonates deeply with the company’s own principles. “Every project we undertake is a commitment to the communities and the country we believe in,” he said, stressing that unity and resilience are embedded in both the nation’s vision and the company’s ethos.

Echoing similar sentiments, Ankur Aggarwal, chairman and founder of BNW Developments, described the UAE as a sanctuary that has offered people not just work, but a home and a future.

Distributing flags among employees across Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, he said, is a way of strengthening that connection. “We aren’t just handing out symbols; we are connecting every person in the BNW family to a national heartbeat,” Aggarwal explained.

He added that raising the flag across buildings and project sites represents a “quiet, powerful promise” – a commitment to stand by the nation just as it has stood by its people. “We are part of the nation’s soul,” he said, highlighting the deep sense of gratitude that underpins the company’s actions.

Retail sector leaders have also embraced the initiative enthusiastically.

Anil Dhanak, managing director of Kanz Jewels, said the company would hoist the UAE flag across all its showrooms and offices.

“We consider the UAE our home and remain grateful for the trust and opportunities this great nation has given us,” he said, adding that the company would also encourage customers and the wider community to participate in the gesture.

Meanwhile, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and managing partner of Fakhruddin Properties, described the UAE flag as a symbol of a promise that has shaped everything his company has built.

Distributing flags at offices and raising them across buildings, he said, is a reminder of what the country has given its residents and what they owe in return. “Our story and this nation’s story are inseparable,” he said, emphasising a long-term commitment to contributing to the UAE’s continued growth.

As flags rise across homes, offices, and skylines, they stand not only as national symbols, but as powerful expressions of gratitude, resilience, and unwavering belief in the UAE’s journey ahead.

Ramesh Vora, Chairman of Bafleh Jewellers, has voiced strong support for the call to raise the UAE flag, describing it as a powerful symbol of unity, loyalty, and national pride.

“As a proud business in the UAE, we wholeheartedly support HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s call to raise the UAE flag as a symbol of unity and loyalty,” Vora said.

“The UAE has given us so much — a thriving market, a welcoming community, and a home for our brand — and this is a beautiful opportunity to give something back.”

He said the company will distribute UAE flags across all its offices and retail outlets as a symbolic gesture of unity. “It is a small but meaningful reminder to our team — many of whom come from diverse backgrounds — that we are all united under one flag and one vision,” he added.

Vora further confirmed that the company will raise the UAE flag at its headquarters, calling it a reflection of “deep respect and loyalty to this great nation and its leadership.”

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, he said the UAE’s spirit of solidarity and national pride strongly aligns with the values of craftsmanship, trust, and heritage on which the brand is built. “We are honoured to stand alongside our fellow residents and businesses in this show of unity,” he said.

Sunil Jagetiya, chairman of Sun Management Group, also welcomed the initiative, describing the raising of the UAE flag as a meaningful expression of unity and shared identity across the business community.

“The UAE has consistently fostered an environment of stability, inclusiveness, and growth, enabling businesses to thrive alongside the nation’s progress,” Jagetiya said. “At Sun Management, we see this as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the country and its leadership, while standing in solidarity with the wider community.”

He added that such gestures reflect the “deep sense of belonging and respect that define the UAE’s unique social and economic fabric.”