Dubai: Lt-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police who passed away on Thursday night following a heart attack, was an inspiration to many, his friends and family members said on Saturday.
Lt-General Al Mazeina was laid to rest in Dubai’s Al Ghusais graveyard on Friday afternoon, following the funeral prayers at Zabeel Mosque.
Known as a dedicated and tough police officer, who served in various positions in the Dubai Police force for more than 33 years, Al Mazeina came across as a kind and loving person among the family and friends.
Eldest of five brothers, Al Mazeina was an inspiration to the entire family for his energy and handwork.
“He was really dedicated to the service of the country and inspired us all with his passion and energy. His demise has come as a shock for all of us, but as believers, we bear our losses patiently and accept the decrees of Allah,” said Al Mazeina’s brother, Abdullah.
On Saturday, hundreds of well-wishers, friends and family members gathered for a condolence meet at Al Mazeina’s residence in Al Twar. The visitors included members of the ruling families, government officials as well as police officers.
Speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the condolence meeting, Al Mazeina’s cousin, Mohammad, said: “Khamis was at Emirates Towers in a meeting on Thursday evening. He came home around 7pm and he was fine. After sometime, he complained of chest pain and was rushed to hospital where he passed away.”
His brother-in-law and close friend Eisa Abdullah Al Nuaimi said: “When the call of Allah comes, nobody can do anything. It happened in minutes. I think he passed away before the ambulance reached the hospital.”
Al Nuaimi, who is the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, is also Al Mazeina’s neighbour and both went to university together.
“We knew each other from childhood and we were together in the university. Both of us chose different paths after graduating, he chose to join the police force and I opted for the foreign service. But we had remained close all these years. It is a personal loss as well as a great loss to the nation,” said Al Nuaimi.
Al Nuaimi described his friend as a serious and hardworking man who dedicated his life to the nation.
“He was a hardworking and a dedicated man, even on the day of his death he came back home from work at 7pm. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t give much attention to his family. As he handled his job, he was equally good in handling family affairs. He was always nice to his friends and family and he took great care of all,” he added.
According to Al Nuaimi, Al Mazeina was very punctual and disciplined and kept himself extremely fit and he hardly had any health issues.
“Nobody knows when it is time to depart. As Muslims, we believe that Allah’s decree is final, we cannot delay it for a second when the time comes. Khamis never had any serious health issues and he kept himself fit but when his time came, it surprised all of us. To Allah we belong and to Him we all return,” said Al Nuaimi.
Al Mazeina is survived by his wife, a 26-year-old son, Mohammad, and two young daughters.
Mohammad, who is studying in Australia, arrived on Friday following his father’s funeral and he was not available to speak.
Meanwhile, Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), offered condolences and paid rich tribute to Al Mazeina.
“I have lost a dear friend. I had worked closely with him for many years in several areas, including the Infrastructure Committee and international conferences and events, especially the World Energy Congress. Our last meeting was two days before his passing away, when Dewa received the Business Continuity Management System certification.”
