As emotions linger on, brave souls laid to rest

Manama

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On an emotional day, four martyrs were laid to rest at two different cemeteries of the Kingdom yesterday. The soldiers of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) were among five who martyred while performing their duty in the “Restoring of Hope” military operation, which is currently going on in Yemen by the Arab States Coalition, aiming to defend the legitimacy of the country against rebellious militias.

The funerals, held at Hunainiya and Muharraq graveyards respectively, were headed by the families of the martyred men, senior BDF officers, including BDF Chief Field-Marshall Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Royal Guard Commander HH Brigadier-General Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Royal Guard Special Force Commander HH Major Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Defence Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Yussef bin Ahmed Al Jalahma, BDF personnel and people from all walks of life.

‘It’s an honour to serve with them’

While speaking in an interview with national television (Bahrain TV), HH Shaikh Khalid said, “I’ve been honoured to serve with these men for eight years. I can’t describe my appreciation to them and my condolence to their family members.”

Commenting on HM the King’s orders to allocate a day for Bahraini martyrs, HH Shaikh Khalid said, “It’s a deserved appreciation to those men who offered their souls to their country.”

“We as a force and BDF men, holding on to our principles in defending our country. Victory is near, by God’s will,” he added.  

Abdulmonim Ali Hussain

Body of martyr Abdulmonim Ali Hussain was brought to Hunainiya cemetery in East Riffa at about 7.45am. After the prayers for the dead were completed, both HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid attended the funeral processions. Both of them shouldered the body of the martyr until the graveyard.

HH Shaikh Khalid was seen helping the family members of the martyrs in laying him to rest. Later, he handed over the Bahraini flag that covered the coffin to the father of the martyr. He not only condoled the family of the martyr, but also highlighted the great sacrifice made by him for the country. 

Speaking to the media, the father said, “My son is the son of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He died defending the soil of his country and fellow GCC countries. It was always his wish to die a martyr. Thank God he got what he wished for.”

Almost an hour later, the same crowd moved to Muharraq cemetery to join the prayers, funeral and burial of the three other martyrs- First Sergeant Mohammed Nabil Hamad‎, Sergeant Abdulqader Al- Alass and Sergeant Hassan Iqbal Mohammed.

 First Sergeant Mohammed Nabil Hamad

Omar, the brother of First Sergeant Mohammed Nabil Hamad, said, “I lost more than a brother. He was like a father and educator for me. There are eight years that separate us. He had a good heart and carried limitless kindness. Before leaving to his mission in Yemen, he told me about his wish to become a martyr for the sake of our country.”

 Sergeant Hassan Iqbal Mohammed

The father of Sergeant Hassan Iqbal Mohammed revealed a gut-wrenching thing that his son had left for Yemen two weeks after the delivery of his daughter Maryam, who is two-month-old now. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Ahmed and Ali.

“Thank God that he died while on duty and sacrificed himself defending his country and for the right cause,” the father said.

“He was a good son and called up his mother a few hours before his martyrdom. It was like saying goodbye,” he added emotionally.