ABU DHABI, KABUL // Tributes poured in for Juma Al Kaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan, who died on Wednesday of injuries suffered in last month’s terrorist attack in Kandahar.
Described as a friend to the country and its people, Al Kaabi was seriously wounded when explosives placed under a sofa went off as Kandahar’s governor was entertaining a UAE delegation at his guesthouse.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, mourned the passing of Al Kaabi, who had been receiving medical treatment in France.
The minister praised Al Kaabi who had spent his life serving the homeland and sacrificed his life for a humanitarian cause.
The president of Afghanistan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, said he was deeply saddened by the death of Al Kaabi.
“The Emirati ambassador and his colleagues paid the highest sacrifices during a humanitarian mission for peace and development of Afghanistan.
“The people of Afghanistan will never forget their sacrifices,” said Mr Ghani, who offered his condolences and sympathies to Al Kaabi’s’s family and the UAE.
Officials at Nato’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, tweeted: “We mourn the loss of United Arab Emirates Ambassador Juma Al Kaabi. We remember him for his service to Afghanistan and commitment to peace.”
Haneef Atmar, national security adviser to Mr Ghani, tweeted: “It is with great sadness that Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi martyred of wounds sustained in Kandahar terrorist attack. Ambassador Juma sacrificed his life to bring prosperity and development to Afghans. His services and sacrifices will always be respected and remembered.”
President Ghani said that the terrorist attack would not sour relations between the two nations.
“The killing of Afghan and Emirati citizens will embolden the determination of the two governments and people’s in the fight against terrorism.”
Abdul Farid Zikri, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the UAE, said Al Kabbi knew “everyone in Afghanistan”.
“I knew him before he became ambassador, he served in Afghanistan as deputy chief of commission for five and a half years. He had experience and knowledge and established a network. He was an asset for both countries,” said Mr Zikri.
“Every time I went to Kabul I tried to meet with him, and before he went to Kabul he came and visited us at the embassy and we spoke about [upcoming] projects.
“He had a lot of plans for this year of what he should be achieving.”
The two ambassadors worked on establishing schools and providing Afghan students with the opportunity to go to university.
“He also worked on agricultural projects, which is very important for Afghanistan,” Mr Zikria said.
Five Emirati aid workers were among 11 people killed in the blast. Al Kaabi was flown by military plane to Abu Dhabi for treatment.
The Emiratis were in Kandahar to lay the foundation stone for the UAE-funded Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan orphanage and to sign a scholarship agreement with Kardan University.
Those close to Al Kaabi said he took his work very seriously, throwing himself into the UAE’s development projects to help Afghanistan and its people.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced Al Kaabi’s death on Twitter on Wednesday.
A statement on Wam, the state news agency, read: “It is with great sadness and sorrow that we mourn the martyr of the nation, Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi, who lost his soul for the sake of humanity.”
Abdullah Al Bastaki, whose father Mohammed was also killed in the Kandahar attack, said the two men were close friends.
“His son is also my friend and I consider him my brother. The pain is one; we are all one family even if we are not connected by blood.
“My father used to tell us stories about how he was very concerned about his work, he was conscientious and served humanity.”
Mr Al Bastaki said his father was honoured to have worked with “one of the best Emirati ambassadors” for two and a half years.
“For him his job was a personal matter, he was working for humanity, he stayed up day and night to do good and serve the nation. He put in all his blood, sweat and tears.”
The Emirati aid team that died in Afghanistan, which included Abdulhamid Sultan Al Hammadi, Abdullah Mohammed Al Kaabi, Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Tunaiji and Ahmed Al Mazroui, had no social or family time because they were fully dedicated to their jobs at all times, said Mr Al Bastaki.
Mr Zikria said he had high hopes that Al Kaabi’s legacy would continue wtih the next generation of Emirati diplomats.
“I am sure that the next ambassador will be someone who will have vast experience. Since the two countries have close, brotherly and cultural relationships, the next ambassador won’t be someone who does not know the country or the culture.
“I don’t have any worries that the next ambassador will lack understanding of Afghanistan,” he said.
hdajani@thenational.ae