Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa, the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, attends Commemoration Day events in Al Ain. Wam
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed bin Khalifa, the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, attends Commemoration Day events in Al Ain. Wam

Emiratis and expats alike stand still to remember UAE heroes



UAE nationals and expatriates alike left their routine activities on Monday to observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to the country's fallen heroes on the first Commemoration Day.
KV Shamsudheen, a financial consultant in Dubai, was doing his live radio show at 11.30am when the staff met for a minute of silent prayers in his office.
"We stopped the programme and kept silent for a minute. Martyrs' Day is very important for all residents of the UAE," said the 68-year-old Indian.
Dr Asjad Hameed, a doctor at an Abu Dhabi hospital, also marked the moment of silence alongside colleagues.
"We said a silent prayer for Allah to bless the martyrs and their families," he said. "There is no greater or more honourable sacrifice than to lay down one's life to protect and safeguard the motherland. It as a the result of such sacrifices that we have the privilege of enjoying a free and secure existence," said the 52-year-old Pakistani.
Safiulla, a car mechanic working in a workshop in Mussaffah, stood in silence with his colleagues to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers.
"We prayed to the Almighty to give them the highest place in Heaven and help their families to cope up with the loss," said the 28-year-old Afghan.
Dr Jameel Haq Chaudary, a dentist in a local hospital in Sharjah said that she felt a connection to the families of the martyrs.
"A majority of the brave men who were martyred were actually very young, and being a young person myself, I can really connect to them," she said.
"We observed a minute of silence at the hospital remembering these brave souls, but no amount of commemoration can compare to their sacrifice," the 24-year-old Pakistani said.
Hospitals were also among the workplaces that paid tribute to the heroes.
Dr Azad Moopen, chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said that memories and sacrifices of "our courageous brothers are forever etched in our hearts".
"In our moment of silence today to honour them, we also reflect on the magnanimity of every soldier in sacrificing their own lives so that the rest of us are safe," said Dr Moopen.
"May the soldiers serve as inspiration for us to foment love and look after one another."
akhaishgi@thenational.ae