‘Father of the Martyr’ proud of his son

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, offers condolences to the family of Omar Rashed Al Meqbali. Saeed Al Neyadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu DhaShow more

ABU DHABI // Khalid Al Hamedi looks at his phone and the last image his son sent before he was killed in Friday’s attack.

The selfie of Mohamed in his uniform will be treasured forever, said Khalid, who is now referred to by neighbours in Al Nahda as “Father of the Martyr”.

His feelings on his son’s death are bittersweet.

“My son embarked on a path that led to happiness. He would have been happy with victory and happy with his martyrdom,” he said. “I’m proud to be referred to as the ‘Father of the Martyr’.”

Khalid said that through the sadness, Emiratis across the country looked proudly on their fallen soldiers.

“Our leadership has given us a lot and it’s time that we give back to our nation a sacrifice it deserves,” he said.

Mohamed, who leaves behind four children, taught his family the importance of defending their country, his eldest son Khalid said.

“My father instilled in my siblings and I so many national values and that your love for your country cannot be compared to anything,” Khalid Jr said. “He always showed us ways of how we can be a part of the nation’s development.”

Across the capital, other families who lost loved ones were yesterday adjusting to a new way of life.

In Al Ain, the family of Omar Al Meqbali was preparing for their first Eid without the soldier.

His kanduras, ready for the coming celebration, sit on a shelf at his home.

“When preparing for Eid Al Fitr, Omar made sure to have his Eid Al Adha kanduras ready, too,” said his wife Fatima Al Neyadi, 33, who spoke to her husband the night before his death.

“His clothes are now ready but he won’t be able to wear them.”

After becoming the first family member to hear of the attack and Omar’s death, Ali Al Meqbali immediately dialled his brother’s number. The phone had been switched off.

Ali entrusted his wife, Rouda, to tell his mother the sorry news.

“I couldn’t do it,” he said.

Rouda told the family to be proud of their son, she said.

“By that time, Omar’s mother and wife Fatima had already found out about the explosion and knew there were 22 soldiers dead. His mum was crying and had a feeling that Omar was among the dead,” Rouda said.

“We were told that before the attack, Omar was leading the fajr prayers with his colleagues. He was a true leader.”

Omar leaves behind a baby boy and two daughters, aged 4 and 6.