UAE leaders continue to offer condolences to families of those killed in Kandahar bombing

UAE leaders on Sunday offered condolences to the families of the Emiratis who were killed in Afghanistan last week, and the bereaved relatives said the show of support made their grief easier to bear. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Sunday attended mourning majlises for Abdulhamid Sultan Al Hammadi and Mohammed Ali Al Bastaki, in Shakhbout City and Khalifa City respectively. Several leaders paid respects to the family of Abdullah Mohammed Al Kaabi, from Al Ain. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed visits the families of Abdulhamid Sultan Al Hammadi and Mohammed Ali Al Bastaki to offer his condolences on Sunday. Wam Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, Adviser to the President, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, the Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region, extended their condolences to the family of Al Kaabi, who was killed with four Emiratis in the terrorist attack on the headquarters of Kandahar’s governor last Tuesday. Twelve people were killed in the attack and 18 injured, including the UAE Ambassador. The Emiratis were performing humanitarian and charitable duties at the time. The uncle of Al Kaabi, who died at the age of 35, said the family were touched by the support of the leaders and their visit made them feel even more proud. “Abdullah was a man made out of everything good in life, and good people never stay, they belong to a better place,” said Mohammed Al Kaabi. “He left three boys and three girls, and they all know how their father was a hero and will always be their hero.” Al Kaabi had planned to continue his studies. “He visited me more than a month ago and he was very satisfied with what he was doing and how he wanted to improve himself to improve the situation of others,” Mr Al Kaabi said. The brother of Al Hammadi, 53, who was laid to rest in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, said his family appreciated the leaders’ support from their visits, phone calls and on social media. “Their visit is considered a great honour to us and to Abdulhamid’s family. We treated them as part of the family, the way they like us to do,” said Hassan Al Hammadi, 42. “I wish to continue what my brother started and I ask our leaders to grant me that privilege, to serve the people in need and raise the country’s name up high.” Ahmed Al Bastaki, a brother of martyr Al Bastaki, 62, said that the leaders’ visit made their mother proud. “They talked with all of us and made us feel more happy and proud. Our mother was glad with their visit and they treated us like members of the family,” he said. “We are proud of our brother and that he died holding the country’s name in his heart and showing to the rest of the world that we are a country of giving and givers.” In their visits, the leaders prayed to Allah to bestow His mercy and eternal peace on the martyrs, and to grant their families patience and solace. Sheikh Hamdan also visited the Al Bastaki and Al Hammadi families on Sunday, while Sheikh Sultan spoke to the father of Ahmed Al Mazroui at the mourning majlis in Wadi Al Helo, Sharjah. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah, paid tributes to the martyrs on Sunday, saying the UAE was proud to tell of their heroic stories and their sacrifice in supporting humanitarian causes. Maj Gen Ali Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of Ras Al Khaimah Police, visited the family of martyr Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji and offered his condolences. Brig Mohammed Al Kaabi, General Commander of Fujairah Police, visited Al Mazroui’s family and extended his condolences. rhaza@thenational.ae