Emirati martyrs’ ultimate sacrifice honoured

Abu Dhabi: Four Emirati martyrs paid the ultimate price during violent attacks on a hotel and other buildings on Tuesday in the war-torn southern port city of Aden in Yemen.

Their great sacrifice will never be forgotten, pledged families who lost their brave sons in heartfelt conversations with Gulf News from their homes yesterday.

Gulf News spoke to the martyrs’ family members, all of whom expressed feelings of grief at losing their heroes, yet still referred to the martyrs as their paramount source of pride for allowing them to keep their head high.

Khalid Al Siyabi, the brother of the martyr Mohammad Khalfan Abdullah Saleem Al Siyabi from Al Shamkha, Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News: “Today, Mohammad Al Siyabi is our symbol of pride and we can now hold our head high for his courage, devotion and loyalty, all of which were traits that he had always demonstrated.”

“He was performing his national duty in Yemen and had to give up his life for a better tomorrow, a safer world and to also restore hope again to the country and its people. He is now in a better place and may he land in paradise,” he said.

He noted that his mother started reciting the words “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest) and “Al Hamdulilah” (Thank God) as soon as she was informed of the tragic incident.

And for Khalid, nothing is as worthwhile as people sacrificing their lives for fighting acts of injustice, brutality and terrorism, he said.

The martyr’s last phone call to his family was a few days ago, when he told them that he was eagerly waiting to return to the UAE on Sunday at dawn and asked all his family members to welcome him at the airport.

Khalid attempted to call Mohammad a number of times; however, none of his calls were answered.

“I couldn’t get hold of him despite my continuous attempts. A day later, we heard about the bomb attacks in Yemen, which instilled in me in a strong feeling that my brother was one of the martyrs who died in Yemen.”

“It certainly is a great loss for us; however, we couldn’t be more proud of him. Words can never do enough justice to the amount of respect and appreciation we have for people like Mohammad and the other brave heroes who stood up against terrorism that continues to pervade today’s world.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Eisa Khamis Al Hammadi, the brother of the martyr Ahmad Khamis Al Hammadi from the Western Region in Abu Dhabi, said: “We feel overwhelmingly privileged to have a family member who was martyred during his call of duty to put an end to months of injustice and violence as well as exerted every possible effort to restore hope and faith to our beloved Yemen on behalf of the entire country.”

Ahmad’s father passed away when Al Hammadi was in grade eight, which inspired in him a sense of responsibility and propelled him to look after his brothers and sisters. The martyr was also married and had five children.

Eisa added: “We all would love to join forces with our remaining brothers in Yemen one day, which would truly be such a privilege. What is better than giving up your life for the sake of enabling the rest of your country’s generation to live in peace?”

Eisa’s last phone call to his brother was a few days ago, and he was supposed to return to the UAE on Tuesday.

“He is now back with us as a martyr and as our source of pride. When my mother was told about his death, she expressed feelings that ironically united both grief and happiness. Grief at losing him; however, happiness at the fact that he enabled us to keep our head high.”

Moreover, Eisa told Gulf News that Ahmad always wanted to protect his country and put an end to any threats that may undermine its security.

“He had even told one of his friends before going to Yemen that he aspires to one day go back to the UAE as a martyr.”

Majid Al Katbi, the brother of the martyr Ali Khamis Saleem Al Katbi from Al Ain, told Gulf News that his 29-year-old brother who died in Yemen is now a role model for the young and the elderly.

“I would go to Yemen right away if I were asked to, just to be in his position. There isn’t a better way to bid life farewell. Also, needless to say this is every single person’s national duty, whether young or old,” he said.

“I cannot deny the fact that we did experience profound feelings of sorrow when we were informed of his death; however, it was still an honour to see a member of our family martyred for such a good cause. We all continue to perform prayers and read the Quran for him and all the other martyrs and may they all land in heaven,” he added.

“Today, Ali is a role model for both the young and the elderly and will eternally remain a true milestone in the UAE’s history.”

‘Righteous’, ‘giving’, ‘caring’ and ‘a man of principle’ were qualities that Majid attributed to his brother, Ali, who was married and died at the age of 29.

“He was such a good person and he deserves to bid life farewell this way so he can go straight to paradise.”

November 30 will be observed in the UAE every year to salute the martyrdom of Emirati heroes, it was decreed by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.