It’s not every day that a historical figure walks into your school, but that’s exactly what happened at RAS when we were visited by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, the designer of the UAE national flag. This rare and meaningful opportunity gave students a chance to hear firsthand about the origins of the beautiful flag they see everyday.
Mr. Al Maainah, who designed the flag when he was just 19 years old, shared the fascinating story of how his design was selected out of more than a thousand entries during a nationwide competition in 1971. He explained the meaning behind each of the flag’s four colors—red, green, black, and white—and what they represent in Emirati identity and values. Students were listening intently as he explained how his design was selected in a national competition when he was just a young man, and how that moment shaped the course of his life. He also discussed what it meant to contribute to history at such a young age, which in turn encouraged students to believe in their ideas and take opportunities when they arise.
He also walked students through the in depth flag-making process, detailing the thoughtful symbolism and meaning woven into each stripe and shade. The visit concluded with a Q&A session, where students asked insightful questions about national identity and design, as well as personal ones like "When did you realize you created history?”.
Through his visit, Mr. Al Maainah reminded us that behind every symbol lies a story and a dream
