SHARJAH // The body of Hamad Abdulla Al Ali, the six-year-old Emirati boy who drowned after falling into the River Nile last week, was laid to rest today.
Hamad, the youngest of five children, was taking a night cruise with his family when he lost his balance and fell into the water on Friday.
The funeral was held at a cemetery in Sharjah Industrial area 3 after Dhuhr prayers. The Al Sahaba mosque was packed with mourners who offered a four salute prayer, known as salat al janaza.
The funeral prayers, as well as the burial, were held alongside those of Emirati Ahmed Yahya.
Abdullah Al Ali, Hamad's father, thanked the government and the UAE community for the support shown to him and his family in the days since his son died.
"I have got calls of condolences from Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed and Sheikh Tayyeb bin Saqqar in Ras Al Khaimah, all sharing my pain and praying for me to be strong and accept the will of Allah," said Mr Al Ali.
ykakande@thenational.ae
