First-of-its-kind UAE National Day initiative ‘Raise your voice, raise your flag’ takes UAE flag to a height of 102,000 feet

Al Hilal is first Bank to raise the Largest Arab flag reaching the edge of space

December 22, 2014 - As part of celebrations marking the UAE’s 43^rd National Day and in line with the UAE leadership’s vision of honoring the flag as a symbol of national pride, Al Hilal Bank recently raised the UAE flag high to the edge of space at an altitude of 102,000 feet under its ‘Raise your voice, raise your flag’ campaign.  The success of the campaign has made the UAE the first Arab country to take its flag to such an unprecedented height. Al Hilal bank partnered with Sky News Arabia for exclusive media coverage of the historic event.

The campaign, which was launched on December 1, 2014, gathered the voices of UAE residents online singing the National Anthem to contribute to how high the flag would be raised. Youth from all across the UAE were the driving force behind the success of this first-of-its kind-initiative. Participants recited and recorded the UAE’s national anthem on the campaign’s microsite, www.itsallabout.ae., as well as dedicated booths that were set-up by Al Hilal Bank at multiple locations. Campaign supporters were also able to participate online by using the hashtag #itsallaboutuae. The flag was attached to a specially constructed rig fitted with a high-altitude helium balloon. The balloon was launched on Saturday, December 13 from the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi – one of the most historically significant locations in the UAE. Mohamed Jamil Berro, CEO, Al Hilal Bank said: “We at Al Hilal bank are proud to announce the success of our ‘Raise your voice, raise your flag’ campaign which achieved a monumental milestone by making the UAE the first Arab country to take its flag to the edge of space. The flag is a symbol of our national pride and engaging our youth to help raise it to new heights reflects our commitment to the future of this nation.” Berro continued: “We would like to thank everyone that contributed to the success of this campaign, especially the youth. We will continue to raise the UAE flag and celebrate this great nation through our hard work and commitment to offering innovative banking solutions to the people of the UAE.” “We were pleasantly surprised by the public’s support for our unique campaign. The youth in particular were very enthusiastic about expressing their love for their country. We invite everyone to pass by our Mall Branch and visit the special museum we have prepared to commemorate our historic achievement of being the first bank to hoist an Arab nation’s flag high up in the sky to almost touch the edge of space,” added Mariam Yousef Ahli, Head of Corporate Communications, Al Hilal Bank.   The 2.4-by-1.2-meter UAE flag is currently on display at Al Hilal Bank’s Mall Branch at the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Visitors can sign on an accompanying signature board and share in the joy and pride of the exciting event. Pictures and live footage of the launch are exhibited as well.