Dubai: “He told me he was going to Jordan [not Yemen]. He didn’t want me to worry. He was that type of son. A son who would do anything to make sure his parents are well,” said the mother of martyred soldier Jamal Majed Al Muhairi.
Jamal was martyred on September 4 in Yemen, along with 51 other soldiers while performing their national duty in the Saudi-led Operation Restoring Hope.
Jamal was survived by five children, twin siblings Majed and Mahra 16, Maha 13, Zayed 8 and Hamed 2.
Before leaving on August 18, Umm Jamal said her 42-year-old son told her he will be back in three weeks and even booked to go to Haj.
“The last day we saw him he seemed happy and light. It was like he knew he was going to heaven for sacrificing his life for his country. My son was a strong man, he was fair and always tried to help others. He once saved the life of a man whose cruise control got stuck by crashing his car into the man’s car. When I scorned him for risking his life he said it’s his national duty.”
Umm Jamal was visited by UAE leaders who shared their condolences with the family including His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Lt Gen Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
“When Shaikh Saif visited he said, if your son is gone, we are here, we are your sons and kissed my hand. The leadership and government did not leave us from the time my son was martyred until now. No other leaders will do what our leaders did. Of course we will sacrifice our lives for such leaders. God can take all my eight children if it’s for the UAE,” she said.
Jamal’s eldest son, Majed, 17, told Gulf News he couldn’t be prouder of his father.
“He was martyred for his country and religion. There isn’t a more noble way to die. I am proud to be his son,” said Majed.
His 16-year-old daughter Mahra, on the other hand, said she will miss her father.
“I love my dad. I will miss him dearly. He died a hero. I will never forget him and will always be proud of him,” she said.
The martyred soldier’s sister, Nada, remembers her brother as a passionate and committed man who loved his job, respected his parents and always lent a helpful hand to his friends.
“Of course we are sad. We are only human. We will always miss him. But we are proud of him. We are happy and patient because he died fighting for his religion and country,” she said.
