Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday praised the loyalty and dignity shown by the families of the 45 Emirati heroes, who were killed in Yemen last Friday.
Sheikh Mohammed’s comments came as the body of one of the 45 arrived at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi after identification in Saudi Arabia. The fallen soldier was given full ceremony and attended by senior officers.
Sheikh Mohammed told mourners their tears and pride were shared by all nationals.
“Children of the martyrs are our children too,” he said. “Being one family, we share the same pain and joy. There is no difference between the Ruler and the subjects, or between young and adult, or between rich and poor.
“The martyrs will shine a path for generations, sons and daughters of our beloved country, to move forward on the road to consolidation of good citizenship values, promote national participation and cohesion under their leadership, which harnesses the potential and wealth of this country for happiness and welfare of the citizens.”
The Vice President joined Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, at the majlis for Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al Shehhi in Ras Al Khaimah.
With them were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister.
They then visited the family of Rashid Saeed Rashid Al Habsi, as did Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid paid tribute to the sacrifices of youth and their achievements in times of peace and war, saying their deeds are building a nation that is proud of their sacrifices.
They visited the mourning majlises for Adel Saleh Abdullah Al Shehhi, Abdullah Omer Mubarak Al Jabri, Ali Hussein Al Baloushi, Ali Hassan Mohammed Al Shehhi, Yousef Abdullah Eisa Al Ali, Al Shatti Saeed Abdullah Al Sayyad, Rashid Mohammed Mattar Al Masaferi, Obaid Saeed Khalifa Al Shamsi and Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Al Khateri, in areas of RAK.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid then visited Al Ain to offer condolences for the deaths of Abdullah Khalifa Matar Al Nuaimi, Omer Rashid Ali Al Miqbali, Buti Ayel Musfir Al Ahbabi and Saad Mohammed Saleh Al Ahbabi.
In Abu Dhabi, he comforted the families of Mohammed Khalid Mohammed Mamdi and Mohammed Ali Hussain Al Hossani.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the servicemen, praying to God Almighty to rest their souls in peace, and provide the families with the patience to bear their loss.
Poems were recited on loyalty to the UAE and its leadership, and the sacrifices of Armed Forces personnel.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, offered their condolences today to the father and rest of the family of fallen serviceman Mohammed Khalid Ibrahim in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi.
They then visited the family of Rashid Saeed Rashid Al Habsi, as did Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid paid tribute to the sacrifices of the youth and their achievements in times of peace and war, saying their deeds were building a nation that was proud of their sacrifices.
They visited the majlises for Adel Saleh Abdullah Al Shehhi, Abdullah Omer Mubarak Al Jabri, Ali Hussein Al Baloushi, Ali Hassan Mohammed Al Shehhi, Yousef Abdullah Eisa Al Ali, Al Shatti Saeed Abdullah Al Sayyad, Rashid Mohammed Mattar Al Masaferi, Obaid Saeed Khalifa Al Shamsi and Mohammed Saeed Mohammed Al Khateri, in RAK.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid then visited Al Ain to offer condolences for the deaths of Abdullah Khalifa Matar Al Nuaimi, Omar Rashed Ali Al Meqbali, Buti Ayel Musfir Al Ahbabi and Saad Mohammed Saleh Al Ahbabi.
In Abu Dhabi, he paid a visit to the families of Mohammed Khalid Mohammed Mamdi and Mohammed Ali Hussein Al Hossani.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed expressed his deep condolences and sympathies to the families of the servicemen, praying to God Almighty that their souls rest in peace, and that He provide their families with the patience to bear their loss.
Poems were recited on loyalty to the UAE and its leadership, and the sacrifices of the Armed Forces personnel.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, offered their condolences to the father and family of fallen serviceman Mohammed Khalid Ibrahim in Baniyas, Abu Dhabi.
They also travelled to Shahama to meet the family of Mohammed Ali Hussein Al Hossani.
“They were Emirati and Arab heroes as well,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “The martyrdom of our servicemen in Yemen is a symbol of sacrifice and reflects our high values that call for solidarity with Arab brothers.”
Meanwhile, state schools across the country heard of the sacrifices made by the fallen soldiers. All schools set aside time for a message to pupils that highlighted national identity.
Al Watan School in Umm Al Quwain was one of many from which pupils visited the homes of the Emirati heroes to pay their respects.
They also organised campaigns for donations of blood and money to help the people of Yemen.
In school, pupils prayed for the souls of the fallen, recited the national anthem and spoke about those who had died while serving their country. Leaflets were distributed on the importance of not spreading unsubstantiated rumours about war.
Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, visited the family of Yousuf Abdullah Eisa bin Jaber, the son of Ajman Education Zone director Ali Hassan, on Sunday morning in RAK.
Mr Al Hammadi also attended the funeral of Rashid Mohammad Mattar Al Msafry in RAK.
And on the directives of Maj Gen Abdul Quddus Al Obaidli of Dubai Police, female officers offered their condolences to the mothers of those who had died in Yemen. They visited the mothers in Sharjah, Ajman and UAQ.
UAE embassies and missions around the world have been flying the country’s flag at half mast.
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