7.25 AM Wednesday, 22 January 2025
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:45 07:02 12:33 15:36 17:59 19:16
22 January 2025

UAE Martyrs Day: We lost our dad but country stays, says martyr's son

Saud is the eldest son of Khamis Mohammed Al Kaabi. (EAY)

Published
By Staff

The son of a UAE army pilot who was martyred during a training mission in 2003 says the family had lost its dearest person, but that his death was for the sake of the homeland which it remains alive.

Saud, the eldest son of Khamis Mohammed Al Kaabi, told the UAE daily Emarat Al Youm that he received the news of his father’s death while he was studying abroad with shock and sadness but that he later managed to live with it.


Khamis Mohammed Al Kaabi

“I was 17-years-old when my father was martyred. I now realise that he sacrificed his life for his country and I am really proud of him,” he said.

“We have lost the dearest person to us but this loss was for this dear country which stays. That is why we will not hesitate to sacrifice our souls for our homeland.”

Saud said his father was writing poetry but his dream was to be a military pilot, adding that he fulfilled his dream.

He said his father was known for his good ethics, sincerity in work and high performance and that he was “highly trusted by his leaders".

“I want to be a pilot like my father and I will fulfill this dream.

"I just want to serve my country and my society,” he said.

He said the UAE leaders have shown that “we are one family” by supporting the martyr’s families, visiting them and attending to all their needs.

Faris, another son, said he was 11-years-old when his father was martyred, adding that he is also very proud of him for what he had offered to his country.

“I could not absorb what happened when I was 11, but now I am 24 and I realise that my father sacrificed his life for his homeland. "Martyrdom is a heroic act undertaken by everyone who loves his country,” he said.

“What our heroes in the army are offering now shows how much they love their country.

"I believe that have a Martyrs’ Day every year is a great step because we have to honour these martyr’s for their heroism.”