Government in the UAE
The system of governtment in the UAE is a federation of monarchies where each emirate has its own monarchy. The seven emirates are: Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariquah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, and Umm al Qaywayn. Every citizen is only a citizen if the mother or father is a citizen, rather than just being born there. Political parties are banned in the UAE as going against the current ruler is considered unacceptable. The chief of state is Khalifa Bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan and the prime minister is Muhammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktum. Only around 12% of the population is allowed to vote as each Emirate decides which voter demographics are included and which are not. This involves gerrymandering and straight-up exclusion, meaning that the "elected" officials are not a great representation of who the people want to be in that position.
Emirati Independence
The UAE officially gained independence from the UK on December 2, 1971. This is the only recognized national holiday in the country. The UAE had been controlled by the UK since the colonial age. After the country liberated themselves, it joined together seven different ethnic and social areas which would become the seven emirates we know today. The Zayed namesake is given credit for the self-liberation of the country, and the family still has significant power in the country today.
Source: CIA World Factbook