RAK bids farewell to 'brother Al Habsi'

Ras Al Khaimah - Losing him has set fire in our hearts, but his martyrdom in defending his country is an honour to us all, says family

Led by His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, crowds of people flocked to the Shaikh Zayed mosque here on Tuesday to offer funeral prayers for Rashid bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Rayeel Al Habsi who was martyred during military operations against Houthi militia in Yemen.
People from all walks of life visited the relatives to offer their heartfelt condolences and attended the funeral ceremony held at the Seeh Ghib cemetery in Corniche A Qawasim on Tuesday morning.
The UAE Armed Forces, in an official statement on Monday, announced the martyrdom of the 36-year-old first lieutenant while performing national duty in Yemen as part of the 'Operation Restoring Hope' led by the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces.
Widely known as a religious man and national hero, the UAE serviceman had three sons and two daughters, according to relatives and friends.
Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Rayeel Al Habsi, the 61-year-old father of the martyr, said: "I am so sad for losing my son, but still I am so proud of his bravery and sacrifice for the country and nation," he said. "The last time I talked to him was last Friday when he called to check on us."
"He was so kind and helpful to everyone, and performed Hajj three times, and Umrah five times,"
Umm Abdullah, the 56-year-old mother of the martyr, "prayed Almighty Allah to give her patience, accept him as a martyr," his uncles said.
Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, the elder brother of the martyr, said he cannot express his deep sorrow.
"Losing him has set fire in our hearts, but his martyrdom in defending his country is an honour to us all."
The martyr was a brother to everyone, and never think twice for helping others, he added.
"He was so kind, helpful, and dedicated to his family, relatives, and above all his nation and leaders."
It was actually so hard to inform my brothers' kids (Mohammed, 11, Raheel, 10, Abdullah, 9, Shaikha, 4, and Hamdan, 3), about his death, he said.
"We comforted and informed them about their father's unique sacrifice, when they came back home from school."
Umm Mohammed, the elder sister of the martyr could not first talk about her brother's death.
"His martyrdom may only add to our belief and surrender to God's will, let alone our loyalty to our nation and leadership."
Abdullah Saeed Mohammed Al Shehi, the martyr's father-in-law, said he last saw him two weeks ago when he was on a quick leave heading back home from Yemen.
"He was so happy and enthusiastic, and insisted on going back to continue his national duty."
Mohammed Saeed Al Asoos, the uncle of the martyr, said he was the kindest man he has ever known.
"He was so easy, friendly, and always smiling. I still remember the last Umrah we performed together two months ago when we spent 10 days in the holy lands together with his mother, two uncles, along with his wife and youngest son Mohammed."
Army life
Rashid first joined the UAE Armed Forces in 1998 at the Suwaihan area in Abu Dhabi where he graduated as a sergeant in 2001, he said.
"Owing to his dedication and competence, he was enrolled in the Zayed military college where he spent two years 2006/7 and graduated as a lieutenant."
Though he participated in the peace-keeping forces in Afghanistan, the martyr joined the UAE forces in Yemen only two months ago.
"Of his ten brother and sisters, two are in the Armed Forces; Abdullah and Maktoum."
Abdullah Mohammed Al Rayeel, the cousin of the martyr, said he used to regularly check on his relatives.
"His last visit was to his senior uncle during the Eid Al Fitr holiday this year. I last talked to him 10 days ago, and everything was fine."
Abdullah Saeed Al Asoos, the uncle of the martyr, said: "His martyrdom crowns his dedication to his country, people, nation, and leaders," he said, noting that the martyr was a professional mountaineer. We used to go camping and climbing the mountains together."
Fahd Saeed Al Asoos, the uncle of the martyr, said he was more than an uncle to him.
"He was more than my brother and friend; I am only four years older than him, and I do lose him so much. It was really so hard for me to tell his mother about his death as he was so dear to her."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah