ABU DHABI // Hundreds of mourners turned out across the country on Saturday as the funerals of four of the five Emiratis killed in the Kandahar terror attack took place.
The bodies of Abdulhamid Sultan Al Hammadi, Abdullah Mohammed Al Kaabi, Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji and Ahmed Al Mazroui arrived at Al Bateen Airport in the capital onboard a military aircraft and they were greeted by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a number of senior civilian and military officials. The bodies were then taken to funeral prayers following afternoon Asr prayers - in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. The body of the fifth Emirati victim, Mohammed Ali Al Bastaki, who was at the exact spot of a bomb blast, was not recovered from the scene of the terror attack.
Visiting people injured in the Afghan bomb blasts at Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said Emiratis have proved their strength, steadfastness, determination and courage in meeting challenges, and have achieved dignity and glory in serving their homeland.
The Kandahar bombing killed 12 people and injured 18.
“The provision of support and humanitarian aid for others has been one of the main cornerstones of the UAE since its establishment, and criminal acts resulting from treachery and hatred will not undermine the determination of the UAE people to continue the march of giving and the spread of security and peace,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
At Shabieat Al Hossen Mosque in Wadi Al Helo, near Sharjah’s east coast, people flocked to the funeral of 42-year-old Al Mazroui, who left behind seven children. Prayers were led by Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office.
The victim’s cousin said he was a source of inspiration to everyone with his generosity and good heart.
“He will always be remembered for his good and kind heart. We are all proud of him and his achievements throughout his life,” said Saeed Al Mazroui. “He fell in the name of humanity while helping others in need - he deserves to be a martyr.”
Saeed said he last saw his cousin on Saturday and that he was excited to travel to Afghanistan to do humanitarian work.
“He was glad and proud of our country’s contributions in helping and serving people in need, he never let anyone down and always offers a helping hand and his family and all the people who knew him will always miss him,” he added.
“He called his wife and kids on the same day of his death on Tuesday morning and we received the news about his death on the same day at night.”
Huge numbers of mourners attended Al Mazroui’s funeral from across the country, in addition to sheikhs and Armed Forces personnel.
In the capital, funeral prayers were offered for Al Hammadi, 53, an adviser at the UAE Embassy to Afghanistan, and Al Bastaki, 62, a delegate minister at the embassy in Kabul, at Sheikh Shakhbout Mosque, Between the Bridges before the former’s body was laid to rest at Baniyas Graveyard, on the outskirts of the city.
Hundreds queued to pay their condolences to the relatives of the deceased, some of whom were overcome with emotion.
Hussain Al Hammadi, the Minister of Education and cousin of Abdulhamid, was one of the dozens of relatives receiving those who came to pay their respects.
“He always enjoyed humanitarian work and would look for any opportunity to be a part of it,” Minister Al Hammadi said.
“When he first heard of the UAE’s humanitarian projects in Afghanistan he was encouraged to be a part of it.”
Mr Al Hammadi said he was in constant touch with his cousin, who routinely asked for advice and insight in the field of education.
Having served in the Armed Forces together with his cousin, the minister said it was every soldier’s dream to die a martyr.
“Allah gave him another chance while he was in the service of the needy and oppressed,” he said.
“The whole family is proud of him and ready to continue Abdulhamid’s work in serving the country.”
In agreement was Abdulhamid’s youngest brother, Hassan Al Hammadi, one of six siblings he leaves behind.
“We knew it was dangerous work but it was his duty and if they asked me to take his place I wouldn’t hesitate,” Hassan said, adding that his brother was one of the happiest and kindest people he knew.
“The last time I saw him sad or upset was 18 years ago when our father passed. He was loved by all in the family, old and young.”
Abdulhamid, who leaves behind two sons aged 18 and 20, had been in his second year of service in Afghanistan.
In Ras Al Khaimah, funeral prayers for Al Tunaiji were led by Ruler Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi at the emirate’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
“The martyrdom of these devoted humanitarian pioneers will further make the people of the UAE sturdier and boost their determination towards uplifting their country, religion and Arabism, as well as building bridges of love and giving, and translating the UAE’s vibrant Arabism and Islam into the spirit of extending a helping hand to the needy in various parts of the world,” the ruler said.
Funeral prayers for Al Kaabi were held at the Martyr Abdul Aziz Sarhan Al Kaabi Mosque in Al Foah, Al Ain, in the presence of Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan bin Mubarak and a number of citizens and expatriates before the deceased’s body was laid to rest at Al Foah Cemetery.
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