Dubai: Volunteers of the Emirates Red Crescent gathered at the Dubai Police Officer’s Club on Saturday to mourn one of their own, Hassan Mohammad Al Tnaiji, who was recently killed in Yemen.

Besides serving in the UAE armed forces, Al Tnaiji was said to be one of the most active volunteers of the Dubai branch of the Red Crescent. He was among the 45 Emirati soldiers killed while fighting Al Houthis in Yemen on September 4. The death toll was recorded as the highest in the country’s war-history.

A citizen of Fujairah, Al Tnaiji was 37 when he was martyred. He is survived by his wife and nine children, all of whom were present at the function. Al Tnaiji’s family was honoured on behalf of the Red Crescent for his martyrdom.

Al Twas a volunteer for the red crescent for almost three years. Fadi Al Yousef, who knew Al Tnaiji since he joined Red Crescent, said he was one of the group’s most active, kind and enthusiastic volunteers.

“We were stunned, heart broken when we heard the news,” Al Yousef said, “I knew him for almost three years. We both regularly volunteered and it was only natural for us to build a friendship outside work.”

Al Yousef, who is a lawyer, said Al Tnaiji frequently volunteered to help orphans and chaperon them to various events and activities.

“He loved taking care of children,” Al Yousef said, “we would often volunteer to organize parties, picnics and fun events with the orphans. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.”

Ayesha Al Jaziri said she couldn’t believe her ears when her mother told her that Al Tnaiji was martyred.

“I’ve known him for three years,” she said, “I didn’t know how to react when I first heard of his death. I was heart broken, I’m sure all of his friends at the red crescent feel the same.”

Al Jaziri said they became friends after volunteering at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid Development at the World Trade Center.

During the gathering at the Police Officers Club, which also marked the second meeting of the Red Crescent volunteers this year, a video showing stills of Al Tnaiji’s activities with the red crescent. A moment of silence followed.

In his opening speech, Mohammad Al Hajj Al Zarouni, director of the Dubai branch of the Emirates Red Crescent, said Al Tnaiji was the pride of his country, his family and his friends at the Red Crescent. He said Al Tnaiji’s spirit lives on in the hearts of his family and the humanitarian efforts of his peers. Al Zarouni called Al Tnaiji “a fine example of an altruistic individual, one who sets aside his comfort and his own needs in order to help his fellow human being.”