'The Rashid I knew', writes Mohammed Al Gergawi

Dubai - Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi writes not as a Minister of Cabinet Affairs, but as an Emirati writer for online Arabic website 24.ae.

"A man can experience moments in his life which can overwhelm him with grief and affect his spirit deeply. I came across such difficult moments when I saw Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; and his brother Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; placing the body of their elder brother Shaikh Rashid in the grave at Umm Hurair cemetery on Saturday evening," wrote Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, not as a Minister of Cabinet Affairs, but as an Emirati writer for online Arabic website 24.ae.
"This moment has affected hearts and evoked thousands of prayers asking the Almighty Allah to grant solace to the parents of the deceased, Shaikh Rashid, and accept him into paradise.
Personally, these are the most difficult moments that I have lived through. Because of my close ties with the three brothers, I know that they were very much attached to each other. That is the spirit of true friendship that has been ingrained by their father, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, since they were young.
While attending the burial ceremony at Umm Hurair graveyard, I recalled (the time) I accompanied them years ago when Shaikh Mohammed assigned me to escort them to a British university to attend leadership training courses. I recalled the time I shared with the three brothers - Hamdan, Maktoum and Rashid.
I watched people attending the burial ceremony praying to Almighty Allah to have mercy on Shaikh Rashid and (I remembered him for) launching the Dubai Care Foundation. I also remembered the time I travelled with him to Switzerland to the FIFA Headquarters to follow up on some works and attend meetings.
He had a strong personality, was sharp-witted, and showed great ambition like his grandfather, the late Shaikh Rashid.
During these last moments to bid farewell to Shaikh Rashid - the son - I wholeheartedly pray that Allah grants solace and patience to the father Shaikh Mohammed and mother Shaikha Hind bint Maktoum.
No word or a phrase can condole and offer solace to the heart of a mother who has lost her beloved son. I have no more words to say, but to pray to Allah to rest his soul in peace."
- Mohammed Al Gergawi
reporters@khaleejtimes.com