(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

As the UAE prepares to mark its 54th National Day, residents are taking their celebrations to the streets - quite literally. Cars across the country are being transformed into moving tributes, from simple flag decals to elaborate custom designs, costing anywhere from Dh100 to more than Dh3,000.

This year, decorators say there's a noticeable shift towards simpler, more elegant designs. Customisation shops are busier than ever as residents look for ways to make their vehicles stand out while still capturing the spirit of the union this Eid Al Etihad weekend.

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At Top Car Decoration in Al Ain, the team has been fielding numerous requests. According to a representative, the most popular modifications involve images on the rear windshield paired with the UAE flag on the sides.“The cost ranges from Dh70 to Dh800, depending on the design,” the shop stated.

The shop also emphasised its adherence to official guidelines, stating:“According to Abu Dhabi Police notifications, only UAE flags and what relates to National Day are permitted, which is very suitable.”

For many residents, car decoration is personal. A Pakistani expat who grew up in Sharjah chose to place a portrait of the Ruler of Sharjah on his rear glass.“I've been here my whole life; it's like home to me,” he said. He noted that while people prefer simple designs, they also want their cars to be unique.

His own vehicle has drawn plenty of attention this year.“My car has gotten quite famous for the big flag in the back this National Day because not a lot of people know how to do it,” he added.

Others prefer to design everything themselves. Sharjah resident Ali Taleb created his car's look for about Dh500. He says the key is subtlety with a special touch:“What's popular now is simple, but the picture has to be beautiful and rare.”

Celebrating together

For some, National Day isn't a solo project at all. Fouad Bittar and his friends decorate a single car every year so they can celebrate together. He emphasised that it's not necessary for each person to decorate their own vehicle; the true spirit of the occasion lies in celebrating together as a group.“For National Day, we usually decorate one car together, as the celebration is about moving as a group rather than individually,” Bittar said. He noted that social media trends and songs often influence how young people celebrate.

Social media often shapes their celebration style. This year, like many others, they added stickers inspired by Emirati singer Ibrahim Al Hajri's viral TikTok hit Allah yuhibbuk yal-Emarat (God loves you, UAE).

Creating something unique

At the higher end of the scale, some residents go all out. Hamdan from Sharjah spent more than Dh3,000 on a floral UAE flag design covering the back of his car.

His motivation was to create something truly distinctive.“I chose this design to distinguish myself from the usual, repetitive designs,” Hamdan said.“Every person has a unique idea, and there are many distinctive and beautiful designs out there.”

In Ras Al Khaimah, Ibrahim Al Shamsi has turned the tradition into an art form. Since 2009, he has been decorating and displaying his collection of vintage vehicles - some more than 80 years old - outside his family home.

Al Shamsi explained that the initiative stems from a deep sense of national pride. He said his aim has always been to express his love for the nation“in a classic style” that reflects heritage and craftsmanship.

Preparations for the annual display take around four days leading up to National Day. Each year, Al Shamsi introduces a new theme or creative touch to keep the tradition evolving. He added that his long-term goal is to eventually arrange the classic cars in a formation that recreates the UAE flag.

As residents express their creativity, they must navigate a clear set of federal rules. The UAE's Ministry of Interior has issued nationwide regulations to ensure celebrations are safe and respectful.

Permitted decorations are limited to the UAE flag and official, approved National Day stickers. The rules explicitly prohibit any non-official posters or banners, covering windows in a way that obstructs the driver's view, and making unauthorised modifications.

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