Commemoration Day (United Arab Emirates)

Commemoration Day, also known as Martyrs' Day, is a national holiday in the United Arab Emirates recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of Emirati martyrs who have given their life in the field of civil, military and humanitarian service. The day is marked annually on 30 November, but observed with a public holiday on 1 December. It was declared in 2015, when President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, declared the day as Martyrs Day in honor of those who sacrificed their lives for the country. Prior to 2019, the observance and public holiday were both held on 30 November.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known as the Emirates for short, is a country in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as its national capital. It shares land borders with Oman to the east and northeast, and with Saudi Arabia to the southwest; as well as maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran, and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman. As of 2024, the UAE has an estimated population of over 10 million, of which 11% are Emiratis. Dubai is the country's largest city and serves as an international hub. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language, while English is the most spoken language and the language of business.