Ras Al Khaimah: Indian community members in the UAE have urged their government to honour the Emirates crew, ground staff and firefighters who helped save the lives of 226 Indian passengers from a burning plane last week.
More expatriates from Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah called on the family of the Emirati firefighter Jasem Al Beloushi who died during the rescue operation of passengers on the flight from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on Wednesday.
Their visits on Saturday followed a visit by four Keralites living in Dubai to Al Beloushi’s residence in Ras Al Khaimah on Friday, offering condolences to his family at the majlis set up to receive mourners and accept condolences.
The friends’ action inspired many other community members, including priests and members from two orthodox churches in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
The vicars of St. Thomas Church in Dubai and St. Mary’s Church in Ras Al Khaimah offered prayers for the deceased, according to a member of the church group.
“When we reached there, the relatives of Jasem and other guests were offering prayers. Immediately after that, our priests were allowed to offer prayers for him, which is a great gesture from his family,” said Baby Thankachan.
Dr Shaji Kochukutty, who was one of the passengers who escaped along with his wife and three children, was also among the visitors who paid tributes to Al Beloushi.
Dr Kochukutty said he was requested to give a video interview so that his account on what happened that day could be shared with other family members of Al Beloushi, especially women and children who were not present at the majlis.
“He has given his life while saving 300 people. Definitely, I believe I am standing here because of him and I do believe that he died on behalf of me … All our life we will pray for him and his family,” Dr Kochukutty was seen saying in the video.
A group of 25 members of the Indian community in Ras Al Khaimah also offered their condolences to the Al Beloushi family on Saturday evening.
“We had got the assistance of an Arabic translator to talk to the father of Jasem. He said that he would never forget the way the Indian community members paid tributes to his brave son,” said S. Prasad.
He said the family members described how compassionate and service-minded Jasem was. “They said he was always willing to help others … whether it is to change flat tyres or to take accident victims to hospital. We are sad that he lost his life while saving our fellow citizens.”
He said the two dozen Indians who had visited the Al Beloushi family also felt that the Indian government should honour the martyred firefighter and other airline employees who helped save the lives of more than 200 Indians.
“We will be happy to see our government recognising the amazing rescue operation that saved the lives of our people. We in fact want our government to honour the Emirates crew, ground staff and firefighters who used their presence of mind and expert skills to avert a major disaster,” Prasad added.
