ABU DHABI // Mohammed Ali Hassan Al Hosani was 31 years, one month and four days old when he died in Yemen last Friday along with 44 of his compatriots.
Although he hoped to settle down and marry, his ultimate goal was always to defend his country, his mother Huda said.
“He considered his role in the armed forces an honourable job,” said Huda, an administrator at Abu Dhabi Education Council.
When he joined the army at 17, he told his mother: “I would have the honour to die a martyr. We are the lions of Zayed.”
“Al Hamdulilah, he answered the call of duty,” she said.
One of Mohammed’s brothers, Khaled, said he would always remember the sacrifice his sibling had made.
“I am proud my brother’s name is among the martyrs of the nations, and his martyrdom was for the sake of all Emiratis.
“My mother is the one suffering the most in this tragic loss, but, at the same time, she is the most happy that he is a martyr of this nation,” he said.
Mr Al Hosani said his older brother always put others before himself.
“His love for my mother was indescribable. Before he went to Yemen he told me, ‘take care of your mother and family’.
“Mohammed’s duty was for his nation and the President, Sheikh Khalifa, so the rest of the nation and Muslims will be safe and stable in Yemen. I will always remember that.”
Mohammed’s family recalled their last conversation with the soldier, hours before his death.
“On Thursday at 1:10am he called us and spoke to us one by one, and I had a strange feeling. What can you say, it is the mother’s heart,” Huda said.
Mohammed is survived by three brothers and two sisters.
“I don’t have other soldiers among my children. The rest are engineers and media practitioners,” Huda said.
“I used to have four sons, but now I have three.”
hdajani@thenational.ae
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
