Diftah, Ras Al Khaimah: Diftah, a small village on the old Fujairah highway, near Masafi, bid farewell to its hero, Emirati Airforce pilot Second Lieutenant Sultan Mohammad Ali Al Naqbi on Tuesday afternoon.
Al Naqbi, 23, had died in an air crash caused by a technical failure while serving in Saudi-led Arab coalition's Operation Restoring Hope.
Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi attends the funeral of martyr Sultan Mohammad Ali Al Naqbi at Shaikh Saqr Al Qasimi Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah. |
The martyr's body arrived at Al Bateen Airbase in Abu Dhabi on Monday night and the funeral prayers were held after the noon prayers at Masjid Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi in Daftah, following which he was laid to rest at Diftah Graveyard.
Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, attended the funeral which was thronged by a large crowd of mourners, including local villagers, friends, relatives as well as citizens from different parts of the country.
Condolences
Shaikh Saud took part in the funeral prayers, following which he offered condolences to the family members of the young martyr.
He hailed the sacrifice of Al Naqbi and other martyrs, while also praising efforts of the UAE Armed Forces.
Youngest of the 12 siblings, Al Naqbi who was single, leaves behind his aged parents, five brothers and six sisters.
Speaking to Gulf News, the martyr's elder brother Othman Al Naqbi said that the entire village and the family is proud of Al Naqbi's sacrifice.
"He was a very gentle and caring always surrounded by friends and family. He cared of everyone and everyone loved him," said Othman, who works of the Government of Abu Dhabi.
He added that Al Naqbi, who joined the UAE Armed Forces four years back following on the footsteps of his to elder brothers, always wanted to be an Airforce pilot.
"He was always proud of being in service of the nation and he was happy to be out there shedding his sweat and blood," said Othman about Al Naqbi, who went on his latest mission to Yemen after Eid Al Fitr.
According to his brother Al Naqbi was scheduled to return to the UAE on Tuesday after completing his duties and fate had it that he return as a martyr.
