Months after building a mosque in memory of his mother, Mohammed Al Suraidi, one of 45 Emiratis to die in Yemen last weekend, was laid to rest by her side.
“He was kind to everyone and took care of us all. Our mother’s death affected him and he always wanted to do something for her soul. He managed to finance the construction of a mosque which was completed last month in Sri Lanka in memory of our late mother,” said his 28-year-old sister, Sheikha.
A father of three, his eldest child four years old, Mohammed joined the army 9 years ago. Adjusting to life without him, Sheikha said, will take time.
“I can’t imagine our life without him, but he is in a better place now and he deserves to be in a better place.”
The family, including Ms Al Suraidi’s two sisters, were notified of Mohammed’s death on Friday evening.
A charitable man who was liked by all, he died doing something he was proud of, said his older brother, Abdullah.
“He loved his job and he had always the sense of belonging to the county and the nation. Sure, we miss him, but this is what he wanted.
“His charity deeds will last forever. He will always be remembered and never forgotten,” said Mr Al Suraidi, 36.
As the family laid their fallen soldier to rest, in Wadi Al Seder, another said their goodbyes in the town of Merbeh.
Twenty-four-year-old Jasem Al Saadi, one of 22 children, had been with the Armed Forces for 7 years when he was killed along with 44 of his compatriots.
The sacrifice he made for his country is one the ten of his siblings who are also Armed Forces officers said they too would be willing to make.
“Ten of us are working in the army and serving the country and we are all ready to give our lives to serve the country,” said Fatima, 37.
Ms Al Saadi spoke to her brother the night before his death.
“My brother Jasem had called us all last Thursday as if he had some kind of feeling that he would die,” she said. “He travelled many times, but this was the first time he calls us all.”
Another sibling, Mohammed, also 24, said his brother had given him instructions to carry out should anything happen.
Having bought a car the week before his death, Jasem told his brother that if the worst was to happen the car was to be sold, with all proceeds going towards construction of a mosque.
“He told me to sell the new car if he didn’t come back, as if he already knew what will happen,” Mohammed said.
“He was my brother and best friend. We used to do everything together.
“He was a great football player and used to enjoy all kinds of sports. He will be truly missed.”
His older brother, Ahmad, said: “Many officials and people we had never met had come to pay respect and stand beside us during this difficult time. Our brother is a martyr and we are so proud of him.”
rhaza@thenational.ae
