RAS AL KHAIMAH // Family and friends of First Lt Tariq Al Shehi gathered at a grave site in Ras Al Khaimah grave on Tuesday afternoon to bury and pay respects to their relative and friend.
The Emirati police officer, who was killed in a Bahrain bomb attack on Monday, was laid in his final resting place in a graveyard in his hometown of Sha'am near the Oman border.
More than 500 mourners attended the funeral for Lt Al Shehi, whose body was flown into RAK from Bahrain before making the 56-kilometre journey north to the coastal city.
Soon after the funeral ended, those closest to Lt Al Shehi made a short walk to a tent set up outside his uncle’s home in Sha’am.
“I am sad and happy,” said his eldest son, Mohammed, 12, who could only muster a few words. After a long pause he added: “I am sad because my father is gone, but happy he died a martyr.”
Others shared Mohammed’s feelings after the 41-year-old’s passing.
“We all feel sadness but he died a martyr’s death serving his country so we feel happy for his family at the same time,” said Abdullah Al Qaidi, his cousin.
Mr Al Qaidi had seen Lt Al Shehi just two weeks ago, before his latest deployment to Bahrain, and said he was his usual happy self.
“He was happy with work and travelling to Bahrain.”
Lt Al Shehi was on the verge of moving into a new house in Ras Al Khaimah, given to him under the UAE housing programme, with his wife and four children.
“He just had the electricity connected and was going to move in when he got back from Bahrain,” Mr Al Qaidi said.
“Everyone wishes for a martyrdom like his,” said Fahim Al Habsi a long-time friend.
The men became friends more than 13 years ago.
“Every time you saw him he was happy and would greet you with a smile,” said Mr Al Habsi who left the RAK police force four years ago and joined the Army.
But the two stayed in touch and saw each other days before Lt Al Shehi left for Bahrain.
“He was always kind and died serving his nation which is a great thing,” Mr Al Habsi said.
Khalid Al Shehi, who works in Abu Dhabi, said he had no idea his younger brother was in Bahrain.
“I saw him two months ago and am so shaken it is hard to find the words,” said Mr Al Shehi, 43. “But we are all one in the Gulf and Tariq dying in Bahrain is just as if he died right here in the UAE.”
talsubaihi@thenational.ae
