RAS AL KHAIMAH // First Lt Tariq Al Shehi was a father figure to his entire family and community.
Tariq, 41, a policeman, was sent to Bahrain as part of an Arabian Gulf force after demonstrations in the country in 2011.
He was killed after an improvised bomb exploded while security forces were dispersing protesters near the capital Manama in March last year.
“My son was well respected in the family and in our town,” says his mother, Hessa Al Qadhi, also known as Umm Tariq. “He left a huge gap in the family.”
Tariq took on the role of man of the house after his father passed away. His siblings, Aysha, Khalid, Ali, Maryam, Khlood, Omar, Rashid and Alia, looked on their brother as a father figure and a friend who was always on hand to offer advice, support and love.
His children – Mohammed 14, Fajr 11, Fatima 9, and Ahmad, 5 – are slowly getting on with rebuilding their lives after the loss of their father. “His children are moving on with their lives with the aim of succeeding in their futures and making their late dad proud of them. They miss him a lot and still talk about him.
“They are happy to be the children of a martyr and I am proud to be the mother of one who gave his life defending others.”
His job kept him away for long periods, but Tariq would make the most of his leave with his children and his family.
“He took them to Al Ain and to Dubai and spent quality time with them,” Umm Tariq says. “He used to gather his brothers and sisters on a Friday and have lunch and share good times together at his home.”
Hearing the news of her son’s death was the hardest moment of his mother’s life.
“I can’t begin to describe the pain and shock. It is something I don’t wish any mother to go through.” Tariq was an active member of the community in his hometown of Shaam near the border with Oman. He founded a community council to help strengthen relations and tackle local issues.
“He was always in touch with the community, helpful and humble, always extending his hand to help others,” Umm Tariq says. “He was the first to rally his friends to go pay their respects at weddings and funerals of his friends and acquaintances.”
Ahmed Al Shehi, Tariq’s nephew, says his uncle was a great man with a great sense of humour.
“I looked up to him. He was the sort of a man who drew respect from others after a minute of meeting him,” Ahmed says.
Hundreds of mourners turned out to Tariq’s funeral, as his death touched the hearts of Emiratis across the country.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of RAK, ordered that a street in Shaam be named after the martyr as a lasting tribute.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
In the lead up to Commemoration Day The National speaks to the families of the soldiers who have died while serving the UAE. Check out our coverage here:
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› Emirati widow's grief soothed by birth of son
› Children of UAE hero killed in Yemen proud of father's sacrifice