Emirates Post Group and Watani launch "Defenders of the Flag" campaign at main post offices

The nation-wide campaign will continue until 31st October

Dubai, October 22, 2015: Watani and Emirates Post Group have joined hands to launch a "Defenders of the Flag" campaign from 27th September to 31st October at main post offices across the UAE, as one of the initiatives approved by Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to spread respect for the national flag.

Emirates Post Group’s role in the campaign includes providing points for distribution of flags and booklets provided by Watani in main post office in the UAE. EPG will provide volunteers from the post office staff who will collect used and discarded flags from the public and give them new ones.

Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Post Group, Mr. Ibrahim Bin Karam, hailed the role of Watani in organizing the "Defenders of the Flag" campaign for the second consecutive year to promote a culture of respect for the UAE flag as a national symbol, and ensure that government and citizens and residents understand the right ways of handling and using the flag.

“Emirates Post Group is delighted to partner with Watani in this significant nationwide campaign,” said Mr. Bin Karam. “The awareness campaign, which is being conducted in cooperation with schools, government institutions, voluntary groups and media organisations in different emirates, is aimed at raising community awareness of respecting the flag as a national symbol, spreading general understanding among individuals and institutions on the rules relating to the hoisting and lowering the flag, putting uniform standards for the use of the flag in terms of colors, sizes and other aspects.”

The campaign also seeks to enlighten the public on the need to protect the sanctity of flag by ensuring that the flags used are in good and neat condition. Toward this end, EPG volunteers will educate the community on how to dispose of worn-out or damaged flags at different post offices and give new ones.

The campaign will be complemented by a wider awareness strategy consisting of an intensive media campaign on the protocol of using and handling the flag.