A Syrian man whose mother and two of his sisters were killed in a shooting in Ras Al Khaimah has recalled the horror of the night that has left his family shocked and distraught.
The incident occurred shortly before midnight on May 5, when Maher Wafai, 40, who works in Sharjah, received a devastating call from a family member while returning home to Ras Al Khaimah.
He was informed that his mother and three of his sisters had been attacked. Upon arriving at the scene, Mr Wafai found that his 66-year-old mother and three of his sisters, aged 36, 38 and 47, had been shot.
His mother and 36-year-old sister died at the scene, while his 38-year-old sister and 47-year-old sister were taken to hospital with serious injuries. A terrified fourth sister, aged 30, remained in the family home.
“I still can’t believe what happened,” Mr Wafai told The National.
Deadly parking dispute
“My mother and four sisters were in the house when my neighbour arrived and became angry over [someone] blocking the road,” Mr Wafai added. “He claimed my sister’s car was blocking the narrow road to his house.”
Mr Wafai said his 36-year-old sister went outside and had an argument with the man.
“She went to the car to give him more space, when he ran over her. He then stepped out with a gun and shot her. I don’t know what happened and what he was thinking in that moment,” Mr Wafai added.
When his 38-year-old sister then went out, Mr Wafai said the gunman shot her too.
“She stepped outside the house with her 11-year-old son, trying to call the police, when he shot her in the neck. She gave the phone to her son to get help from the police.”
The attacker aimed his gun at the boy but Mr Wafai's sister, despite being already injured, blocked the bullet with the palm of her hand and the boy managed to run away.
The family's nightmare then got even worse when Mr Wafai's mother went out to confront the gunman. “Then my mother went outside yelling, and he shot her in the head,” said Mr Wafai.
Ras Al Khaimah Police arrived within minutes and arrested the suspect, a 55-year-old Yemeni man.
Authorities said the shooting was triggered by a dispute over a blocked road near the family’s home. The case is currently under investigation by the Ras Al Khaimah Public Prosecution and is expected to be referred to the emirate’s court soon.
'Horrific times'
While Mr Wafai's 38-year-old sister did not die at the scene, her injuries were so bad that she died in hospital four days later. The 47-year-old sister has recovered from her injuries.
The suspect is expected to face charges of premeditated murder over the death of the three women and a charge of attempted murder with regards to the 47-year-old woman.
“We leave the case in the hands of the law. We are calling for the death penalty for the suspect and we trust the UAE justice system,” Mr Wafai said.
Mr Wafai, who has lived in the UAE with his family since he was 18, said they have now left the house and area.
“We went through horrific times. I buried my mother and sisters. We are still in shock and disbelief,” he said.
“The UAE is a safe country and always protects its citizens, residents and visitors. We know justice will be served.”
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Rating: 3/5
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
