Sheikha Fatima praises mothers who lost martyrs

The mothers of the country’s fallen soldiers will be among those to be honoured on the first Emirati Women’s Day.

Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, expressed her happiness at dedicating the inaugural celebration to those who had lost their sons.

“We are well aware of the sacrifices women make for their country. They have offered their own sons as martyrs who will be immortal in the nation’s memory and history. We salute our martyrs for their dedication and we salute their mothers for their composure,” the state news agency Wam reported the Mother of the Nation as saying.

The focus of the celebration would also be on Emirati females taking part in National Service, the likes of whom have made their country proud, said Sheikha Fatima, also supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and president of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

“We also dedicate it to the women in military service who left the life of comfort and luxury to protect their country and to see its flag flying high.

“We have proudly been seeing young Emirati women thronging the recruitment centres to join up and express their loyalty to, and love for, their country, and their readiness to make sacrifices for the sake of their country and for protecting its sovereignty, achievements and gains.”

Emirati women have enlisted “in droves”, Sheikha Fatima said, despite not being obligated to do so.

“It reflects the legendary epic of loyalty to the homeland and the leadership as well as willingness to take on national responsibility and partnership in the defence of national sovereignty, dignity and national gains,” Sheikha Fatima said.

Sheikha Fatima thanked the President, Sheikh Khalifa, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, as well as the Rulers of the other emirates, for their support of women.