Thousands bid farewell to Dubai Police chief
dubai — UAE leaders and thousands of residents bid adieu on Friday to the Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Lieutenant-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, who died on Thursday night at the Rashid Hospital of a heart attack. He was 55 years old. He is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.
The funeral prayers were held at Zabeel Grand Mosque after Friday prayers, and Al Mazeina was laid to rest at Al Qusais cemetery. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the funeral prayers along with other leaders and senior officials.
Condolences poured in from scores of people early on Friday morning. Leaders and UAE people flooded social media on Friday with condolence messages and remembering the achievements of Lt-Gen Al Mazeina during his tenure serving the emirate and the UAE.
Shaikh Mohammed sent out a
The Dubai Ruler’s Court announced three days of mourning of the death of Lt.-General Khamis Matar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, who passed away on Thursday night.
series of tweets on Friday morning. “My personal condolences to the family of Khamis Matar and his companions, the people of Dubai and the people of the UAE,” he said in one of the tweets.
Showing respect to the police chief, the Dubai police turned its red logo into black and white on social media.
Al Mazeina gained love and trust of the UAE people and Shaikh Mohammed for his sincere contributions to maintaining security. He continued his dedication to excellence and keeping Dubai peaceful and secure, while cooperating with authorities from around the world.
Lt-Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, the Deputy-Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security, said that Al Mazeina always worked hard to ensure that Dubai remained safe and stable. He said that bidding farewell to Al Mazeina is so hard and it is difficult to choose another officer with similar leadership capabilities. “We travelled a long way together as coworkers. He was promoted as deputy to me, and then I appointed him as police chief because I knew his integrity and eagerness to work.”
Major-General Abdul Rahman Rafi, Assistant Commander-inChief of Dubai Police for Community Affairs Services, said he lost a dear friend and colleague with clean hands and sincere work.
He stressed that Al Mazeina had never been a boss, but a brother to all in the police force.
Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commanderin-Chief of the Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation, said that death of Al Mazeina is a huge loss for Dubai. “We have learned a lot from him. He was a living example of the guardian of security.”
Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, Assistant Commanderin-Chief for Operation Affairs, said Al Mazeina was a unique policeman. “He cares about every detail and pursue small and big issues with passion.”
Brigadier Co-Pilot Ahmad Mohammed bin Thani, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Ports, said: “I worked with him for decades. As his assistant, he guided me on the right way and he was an example of hard work.
On Friday, those who performed the funeral prayers at Zabeel Grand Mosque included Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Lt-Gen Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Shaikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. amira@khaleejtimes.com (With inputs from Wam)
Ruler’s Court mourns