H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed witnesses graduation of 2nd Volunteers Summer Session.

​H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, shared the happiness and pride of a group of parents, as part of an Armed Forces celebration of the graduation of the students of its "second Volunteers Summer Session," organised by the National and Reserve Service Authority of the Armed Forces General Command, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The ceremony celebrated the graduates’ participation in academic, cultural and military activities, which aim to improve the abilities of male and female school students and to strengthen their love of knowledge, science, national values and high morals.

The ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Pilot Staff-Brigadier Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the National and Reserve Service Authority; Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces; Sheikh Hazza bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary of the Diwan of the Ruler's Representative in the Al Ain Region, and several Sheikhs and senior officers of the Armed Forces, as well as a crowd of invited parents and relatives of the graduates.

The ceremony began with the national anthem, followed by readings of verses of the Quran. The graduates then walked in front of the main stage in the form of a military parade, which displayed their new military skills.

After the show, two of the students, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Sheikha Abdullah Juma Al Haddad, gave the graduates’ speech, where they stressed that their parents desired to plant the nation’s values in the souls of their children from a young age, and they raised them to love the UAE and obey, respect and appreciate its rulers. They also raised their children to be prepared and to sacrifice themselves for the nation and defend it with their lives, and they stressed that this upbringing was the motive behind the desire of their parents for their children to join this voluntary cycle, and why they were registered, they added.

They also presented their appreciation to everyone who contributed in the success of the cycle and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the wise leadership while stressing their determination to double their efforts and always meet the expectations of the nation’s leadership.

H.H. Sheikha Hassa bint Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who attended the session for the second time, said she the experience helped her to learn several skills.

"I urge all girls of the UAE not to miss the opportunity of attending these sessions which teach the values of patriotism, dedication and loyalty," she added.

Sheikha Fatima bint Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who took part in the two sessions, described the session as "instant success, with more trainees enrolling."

She added that her father, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was fully supportive.

"He told me it is the duty of every citizen to love their nation and their wise leadership,"she said.

Sheikha Hassa bint Mohammed bin Hamad Al Nahyan said the first and second sessions helped her to learn personal and defensive skills and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Sheikha Hassa's brother, who is 12, attended the session and said he was not expecting the course to help him develop many skills.

Sheikha Hamda bint Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan said she was happy to emulate the experience of her father; Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Commander of the Naval Forces.

Sheikha Hamda bint Hazza bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, who took part for the second time, said that she felt proud to participate in the session.

Sheikha Hamda bint Khalifa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who also participated for the second time, said she was pleased to meet her colleagues from the last year's session.

Sheikha Reem bint Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, said the reasons for attending the session for the second time where loyalty to the nation and to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to make her father proud.

For Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the session helped him to maintain a regular exercising programme, while boosting his self confidence.

Sheikh Sultan bin Falah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said he was excited to attend the different classes, especially shooting and Jiu-Jitsu and awareness classes.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan said the summer course led him to practice more sport and improve his physical fitness, while for Sheikh Dhiyab bin Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, it helped him boost his self-reliance.

A number of parents expressed their pleasure and pride at seeing their children engage in useful activities and acquiring new skills and disciplines during the summer.