Abu Dhabi, Sharjah: Hundreds of people from across the UAE descended on the small town of Dhaid in the emirate of Sharjah to pay their respects to martyr Sultan Mohammad Al Ketbi Monday evening.
A Member of the UAE Armed Forces, Al Ketbi, was martyred while taking part in the Saudi-led Arab Coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen, the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces announced.
The funeral prayers for the martyr was held at Ammar Bin Yasser mosque in Al Dhaid, following Salatal Maghreb.
The grand mosque, the town’s biggest, was overflowing by people who came to pay their respects.
Friends, relatives and townsfolk along with hundreds of Emiratis, expatriates and members of the armed forces joined the funeral procession from the mosque to a small graveyard nearby, where Al Ketbi was laid to rest.
The massive gathering reflected on the popularity of the fallen hero and his status in the community.
The community members eulogised their favourite son and reminded each other of his great qualities.
“He was a great son for the town and of the entire country and we will forever remain proud of him,” said an old man, belonging to his tribe.
Emotional scenes
Tears trickled down the eyes of a young man, a friend of Al Ketbi, when asked about the fallen hero.
Fighting back tears, he could only say: “May Allah have mercy on him, he was always kind to everyone.”
The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces extended its sincere condolences to the family and relatives of the martyr, praying to Almighty Allah to rest his soul in eternal peace.
The family of the martyr said they are proud that their son was martyred for the sake of the nation.
The martyr’s father, in a video posted by Barq, said his son went to Yemen with two aims — either victory or martyrdom. “May he rest in peace and gain a place in paradise, he achieved one of his goals and became a martyr,” the father said.
Last words
Al Ketbi’s brother said he congratulates his brother for his martyrdom. “I congratulate him and our family for his martyrdom,” he said.
“His last words were ‘I will return to the country either with victory or obtain martyrdom’,” Salim Al Ketbi, brother of the martyr told Gulf News.
“My brother wished either to achieve victory or martyrdpm for the sake of the nation,” said Salim.
He said Sultan’s last call to his family was on Sunday when he spoke with his mother and wife and asked about his father and his children as well as his relatives.
Al Ketbi, who hails from Dhaid in Sharjah, is survived by his wife and eight children, including four daughters, and four boys.
Generosity
Al Ketbi’s brother said: “My brother was always at the forefront in helping people in his community and always busied himself in charitable activities including building mosques and digging wells.”
He added: “Many people accepted Islam through him and he was passionate advocate of Islam’s message of peace.” Al Ketbi, 43, was the third of the 12 siblings.
His eldest son Mohammad, 16, is training in a Military school to join the armed forces. While his youngest child is 3 years old.
A friend of Al Ketbi, Mohammad Salem said: “Sultan loved sports, particularly swimming and horse riding. He encouraged everyone in taking part in fitness activities and community service. He will be missed by every one in the community.”
