UAE- Just one more remarkable mother's tale: paper

3/17/2016 2:08:43 AM

(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))

ABU DHABI 17th March 2016 (WAM) -- The funerals yesterday of two Emirati airmen who died when their jet crashed in Yemen are a solemn reminder that serving our country can demand the ultimate sacrifice. "We ought to be proud that despite these risks there is no shortage of people willing to stand up for our values and our ideals such as attempting to restore Yemen's internationally-recognised government and wrest power usurped by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels" said The National in an editorial today.

The paper said that even in this context the selflessness of the Al Marashda family from Kalba stands out. Eight brothers from the family are serving in the Armed Forcesseven in Yemen and one in Somalia. When a ninth brother also applied to enter the military to serve alongside his siblings his bid was rejected so he could look after his widowed mother Amna Salem Hamdan Al Marashda.

Mrs. Al Marashda was having none of that. She told the newspaper in a previous interview that she refused the rejection. "I personally went and applied on his behalf and they continually refused so I decided to take matters in my own hand and informed His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces" she said. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited the family to laud their commitment. He described the entire family as a credit to their country and a source of pride for all Emiratis.

"Mrs. Al Marashda's stance helps demonstrate the kind of selflessness and sacrifice that is being celebrated in the Mother of the Nation Festival which starts in the capital next week. Although the festival's focus is on H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU) and the widow of the UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan it celebrates all the mothers who contribute to the fabric of this country and is designed to empower them to keep doing so" said the editorial.

The paper went on to say that too many of these women fail to get the credit they deserve. "It would have been easy for Mrs. Al Marashda's remarkable story to have remained known only to her immediate family and those in her community in Kalba. So too it is inevitable that there are many other Emirati mothers whose contributions to our society go unheraldedoften at their own behest" it said.

"When the Mother of the Nation Festival begins on March 24th these women will be celebrated collectively for having helped make this country what it is" concluded the paper.

WAM/Rasha/Moran

Other News ofEmirates A welcome roar for Dubai Safari's first inhabitants: paper Microcredit Summit Campaign announces Declaration on Economic Empowerment and Social Inclusion Etihad Airways signs declaration to support prevention of wildlife trafficking Sheikha Fatima attends seminar on 'women and social media' at Diplomatic Arts Salon

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.