Martyr spoke as if he was going to die soon

Dubai - Rashid Mohammed Mattar Hazeem Al Misafiri met with his martyrdom on September 4 in Yemen.

A Bedouin to the core, Rashid Mohammed Mattar Hazeem Al Misafiri was a dedicated soldier, who used to seek his siblings' advice before taking any critical decision.
As if in a premonition, the UAE hero had even talked about the 'fast-approaching death' with his sister's husband.
Met with his martyrdom on September 4 in Yemen, the UAE hero Al Misafiri believed in the principles and values of desert life.
The 25-year-old martyr, based in the Sohaila area, 12km to the south east of Ras Al Khaimah, was known for his clean manners, compassion and readiness to assist whoever in need for help.
Though married for only one year and half, Misafiri insisted on joining the UAE troops heading to Yemen to support legitimacy, right and justice as part of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.
Feeling honoured with his martyrdom, the Misafiri's family kept two precious UAE flags; the first in which his corpse was wrapped with and the second a gift from the UAE armed forces in appreciation to his priceless sacrifice.
The martyr, though the fourth among his ten brothers and sisters, took up the responsibility of his mother and siblings after the death of his father in 2003.
His 48-year-old elder brother Mattar told Khaleej Times that the martyr was so compassionate with young kids, particularly those of his brothers and sisters.
"He used to accompany the children to our two animal farms to make them happy. He even used to seek his siblings' advice before taking any critical decision."
The best of the martyr's hobbies was to raise camels and cattle, Mattar said.
The last will of the martyr before his departure to Yemen was to his mother to bring up and take care of his only son.
"He left a WhatsApp message for his mother through his uncle saying he was so keen to raise his child on original values of the Emirati people."
The brother shared the martyr's "simple" dreams to get married to a pious woman, have a happy family, bring his children up on the UAE traditions, and loyalty to the nation and leaders. Last Ramadan, the martyr's house was gutted in fire just few days before his departure to Yemen.
"It was a simple traditional house, which he maintained well using all his savings to live in with his new family...and now he is no more."
Mattar recalled the last time he met Al Misafiri during a family get together in their mother's house.
"He was laughing all the time and telling stories, and never forgot to advise us to stick to good manners to be happy in life and the Hereafter."
Salem Mohammed, 18-year-old brother of the martyr, said he was notified about his brother's martyrdom while receiving training as part of the national service scheme at Manama area of Ajman. "I was summoned by a high-ranking officer, asked to take a ride with a fellow soldier, given a three-day leave, and then told of my brother's martyrdom," he said, adding that he is honoured of his brother's martyrdom, and wanted to complete his mission."
Abdullah Al Misafiri, nephew of the martyr said, a few days before his sad demise, "he was so optimistic and happy about the great job they were doing in Yemen."
Salem Al Yasi, husband of the martyr's sister, said the last message he got from the martyr showed that it was as if he knew about his sudden death.
"He was talking about death, and said he was used to listening to a certain chapter from the holy Quran before sleeping every night.
Hazeem Mohammed, brother of the martyr, was the one who told his mother about his martyrdom.
"She was sad, but remained patient, and surrendered to god's will, and felt honoured that her son was martyred while defending right and justice."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE