14/04/2026
The UAE’s flag was designed by a teenager in a single night
In 1971, a few months before the formation of the UAE, 19-year-old Abdullah Mohammad Al Maainah happened to see a newspaper ad announcing a contest for the best flag design.
There were only three days left before the deadline. Abdullah spent the entire night working on sketches, came up with six designs, and submitted them to the contest, which had over 1,000 participants.
When the shortlist was published in the newspapers, Abdullah didn’t recognize his design — the photos were black and white. He only realized that his design had been chosen when he saw the flag flying over the Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.
The combination of red, green, black, and white reflects the pan-Arab colors found on the flags of many Arab countries. Here is their meaning:
• white — the generosity and good deeds of the country’s people,
• red — the sacrifices of ancestors to defend the homeland,
• green — growth and prosperity,
• black — strength, resilience, and courage.
Eventually, a teenager designed a flag that became a symbol of the nation.
