UAE | General

Oman crash: Bright futures never to materialise

Wedding plans were in full swing, now the challenge is to come to terms with the loss

By Shafaat Shahbandari, Staff Reporter
Published: 21:20 August 30, 2012

Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
Rashid Al Kaabi (left), elder brother of the late Saif Al Kaabi, during the funeral in Al Foah, Al Ain. Grieving relatives gathered to mourn the loss of the family members and accepted condolences from thousands of residents.

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Al Ain: The dreams of the tragic Al Kaabi family have been shattered after the terrible Oman road crash tragedy.

The children all had bright futures ahead of them, with promising careers and weddings on the horizon.

Now those dreams have been left in tatters as loved ones attempt to come to terms with their loss.

Hamda was excited about her wedding, which was due to go head on October 4 this year.

The 24-year-old Zayed University graduate got engaged to her cousin, Sultan Obaid Al Kaabi, in April and almost all the arrangements for the couple’s wedding were already in place.

Sultan, 27, who was also in Oman at the time of the accident but not part of the entourage that met with the accident, has now been left in a state of shock.

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He tenderly recalled fond memories of his late fiancée, he told Gulf News: “I had just spoken to her a few minutes before the accident.

“She was so excited and so full of life. We had dreamt of so many things together, now it’s all blank.

“But I’m not complaining. I praise the Almighty Allah and his wisdom and under all circumstance,” said Sultan.

Hamda and Sultan were due to get married before Ramadan, but the wedding was postponed twice for various reasons.

Her brother Humaid said: “We were all ready for the wedding, we had done all our shopping, including gold for Hamda, her wedding gown, gifts and all other things were ready, but for some reasons we put it off twice and then finally scheduled it for October, but fate had other plans.”

Humaid’s other sister who died in the accident Fatima, 18, was due to get engaged today with her cousin Musabbeh Mohammad Al Kaabi - who was in the car in front of his beloved and watched the accident that killed her.

The family had an elaborate party scheduled to mark the occasion.

Humaid’s late brother Mohammad, 25, a co-pilot with Etihad Airways, was also planning nuptials soon.

“All our joy has turned into sorrow. We were all so excited about the coming days for the engagement of Fatima and the wedding of Hamda but fate had other plans.

“My brother Mohammad, who had a soaring career with Etihad, also was dreaming of tying the knot soon,” said Humaid, who is also a cadet pilot.

Promising Mohammad was trained as a pilot at Horizon Flying school in Al Ain, loved flying and was serving on Etihad’s A320.

Another bright future cut shot was that of eight year old Ahmad.

The grade four boy, who studied Al Bawadi School, has a special place in everyone’s heart.

“Being the youngest, he was most loved and pampered.

“But he was a lovely boy and very intelligent, my father cherished him.

“Last year he received ‘A’ grades in all subjects in his final exams and my father gave him a special treat,” said Abdullah Al Kaabi, recollecting fond memories of his youngest brother.

Meanwhile, Zayed University and Etihad Airways have both posted condolences messages for the Al Kaabi family from their Twitter accounts.

Two of the deceased were affiliated with the organisations.

Zayed University (@Zayed_U) posted “Our condolences go out to the Al Kaabi family’s loss. We belong to God and to him we return.” It was retweeted at least 99 times at presstime.

Etihad Airways (‏@EtihadAirways) Tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mohammad Saif Al Kaabi, an Etihad pilot, and his family, who died tragically in a car crash on Monday.” Retweered 22 times at press time.

Comments (1)

Added 14:12 August 31, 2012

inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiyun, may allah give sabr to kaabi family, it is great shock to entire nation. may Allah forgive all and enters them in jannatul firdous.

jailani mohtisham, dubai, United Arab Emirates