‘Ameera’s death an irreparable loss’
sharjah — A massive crowd of people from various sections of the Emirati society and expatriates gathered on Sunday at Al Shahaba Mosque to pay respect to Ameera BinKaram who died on Saturday in a fire accident in Sharjah.
Ameera BinKaram, a pioneer of women empowerment in the UAE and Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council, her mother Badriya Abdul Rahman and sister Sama suffocated to death on Saturday evening after a fire erupted in their villa in Al Qadisiya.
Ameera held many government positions including Deputy chairperson of NAMA and Director-General of Pink Caravan and Chairperson of the Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FoCP). She was 38 years old.
Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; top UAE officials and residents attended the funeral prayers at the mosque. After the prayers, bodies of Ameera and her mother and sister, were moved to the Sharjah graveyard. The bodies of another woman and a girl, who died in a vehicle crash, were also buried at the Sharjah graveyard on Sunday.
Sharjah mourns
Senior government officials and prominent personalities who attended the funeral expressed their grief over the unexpected demise of Ameera BinKaram to Khaleej Times.
Brig. Saif Al Zeri Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of the Sharjah Police, said: “Our hearts are full of sorrow and grief over the loss of the great woman who contributed a lot to the development of Sharjah. Her death is an irreparable loss for every member of the Emirati society in Sharjah... ”
Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Media Centre (SMC), also mourned the tragic death of Ameera. “As the head of Sharjah Business Women Council and as a young and dynamic community influencer, Ameera BinKaram had been a constant source of inspiration and motivation for her community and young Emiratis across the country. Through her leadership, her dedication to Sharjah and the UAE, she spread boundless love and happiness all around her,” said Allay.
Khawla Al Mullah, Chairperson of the Sharjah Consultative Council, said: “We, Sharjah women and society, are struggling to comfort ourselves. We mourn the sad demise of Ameera BinKaram and pray to Allah to reward her for all the voluntary and humanitarian deeds she has done. She will remain in our hearts and memories, because her fingerprint will never be wiped out from the achievements she made through the Friends of Cancer Patients Society, Pink Caravan and other initiatives.”
Afaf Al Merri, Director-General of the Sharjah Social Services Department, burst into tears while remembering Ameera. “We are in a state of deep sorrow for the demise of our beloved sister and friend. Her memories will be filled in the minds of those who she supported and helped.” said Al Merri.
Maryam Mohammed Al Rumaithy, Chairperson of Emirates Business Women Council, said: “Ameera has contributed a great deal in empowering women y through her position as the chairperson of Sharjah Business Women Council. She is great model of creativity, innovation and success in every task assigned to her. She was a successful leader, rich with her good deeds and sacrifice for the nation.”
Shock over the death of Ameera continued on social media, with hundreds taking to Twitter, Facebook and other media to express their grief and pay tribute to the deceased.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com