Fujairah: Citizens and residents of the emirate of Fujairah embodied images of human solidarity following the serious traffic accident on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street before midnight on November 11.
Members of the community were distributed among the hospitals where the families of the deceased and the injured were located, to support them and stand by them in their ordeal.
Others were keen to exchange the dates and locations of the burial of a number of the deceased, and to participate in the funeral procession of their bodies, at the same time as confronting rumours and calling for not circulating unconfirmed information, in a scene that reflected a community awareness that embodies the values of compassion and solidarity that characterise Emirati society.
As news of the accident spread among residents, feelings of sadness prevailed in Fujairah, and conversations, gatherings, and social media groups turned into spaces for prayer, condolences, and checking on the injured, while support extended to personal attendance and standing by the families who lost their children or were awaiting news of their health condition.
Sadness prevails
In detail, citizen Jassim Al-Raisi, from Fujairah, said: “Feelings of sadness prevailed in Fujairah yesterday from the early morning hours, as soon as the people received news of the accident, which left a profound impact on the hearts of citizens and residents,” noting that everyone reacted to the news with sincere human feelings, and was keen to pray for mercy for the deceased, and for a speedy recovery for the injured.
He added: “Sadness was present in people’s conversations, and everyone was asking about the injured and praying for them, and consoling the families of the deceased. The accident is painful for everyone who lives on the land of Fujairah, and we saw how people began to share feelings of sadness with each other, even those who do not have a direct connection with the families affected by the accident, because human suffering unites us all.”
He stressed that such situations demonstrate the authenticity of Emirati society, which does not leave families to face their sorrows alone, but rather its members are keen to stand by each other and provide whatever support and consolation they can.
For her part, citizen Noura Ali Al Hammadi, from the city of Khor Fakkan, said that the manifestations of solidarity were not limited to exchanging expressions of condolence, but extended to sharing the dates and locations of the burial of a number of those who died in the accident, with the aim of enabling the largest number of people to participate in the funeral processions and to offer condolences, and to stand by the families of the deceased in their grief.
She added: “In such circumstances, one feels that standing by the grieving family is a humanitarian duty, and that one’s presence and participation in the condolences is a message of solidarity that assures the family that they are not alone in this tragedy.”
She pointed out that these attitudes reflect the depth of social relations among members of the community, and that participating in the funerals of the deceased and consoling their families represents an authentic aspect of the values of loyalty and compassion that have been passed down through generations.
Solidarity among citizens and residents
For her part, citizen Maryam Al-Abdouli, from the emirate of Fujairah, confirmed that community solidarity was evident in the way citizens and residents went to the hospitals where the families of the deceased and injured were located, to stand by them and support them psychologically and morally, especially in the hours that followed the accident, and the accompanying feelings of anxiety, sadness and anticipation.
She noted that feelings of sadness and solidarity were also reflected in community events, as some schools in Fujairah postponed events that were scheduled for Friday, and other celebrations that were scheduled to be held on the same day were also postponed, out of consideration for the feelings of the families of the deceased and injured, and as an expression of emotional participation in their tragedy, in situations that reflected a high sense of social responsibility, and a keenness to prioritise humanitarian considerations over manifestations of celebration.
She added that these stances confirm that Emirati society deals with adversity in the spirit of one family, and that standing by families is not limited to offering condolences, but extends to taking into account their psychological circumstances and appreciating the extent of the grief they are experiencing, noting that postponing events and celebrations represents a message of respect and solidarity with families who have lost their loved ones or are waiting for the injured to recover.
She emphasised that community awareness was also evident in the calls to stop circulating rumours and unreliable information about the incident, and to refrain from publishing unconfirmed numbers of deaths and injuries or information about the identities of those involved, in order to preserve the privacy of families and to spare them further pain and anxiety.
For her part, lawyer and legal consultant Khadija Suhail stressed that traffic accidents and the resulting deaths and injuries necessitate finding practical solutions that go beyond regulating traffic and tightening penalties for traffic violations, while emphasising the importance of these measures in promoting road safety.
She explained that reducing traffic risks requires adopting solutions that contribute to alleviating traffic congestion and minimising friction between vehicles. She called for intensifying traffic patrols on roads with high truck traffic and enhancing coordination with relevant traffic management, supervision, and monitoring authorities to ensure a rapid response to traffic bottlenecks and accidents, and to raise the level of safety for road users.
Suhail stressed that protecting lives does not conflict with economic requirements, but rather constitutes an essential part of sustainable development, emphasising the importance of achieving a balance between the smooth flow of goods transport, providing effective alternatives for transportation, and enhancing field monitoring, in order to maintain the safety of road users and reduce the risks of traffic accidents.
Cancellation of opening ceremony at Gulf Theatre Festival
The organising committee of the 15th Gulf Theatre Festival in Fujairah announced the cancellation of the opening ceremony, taking into account the current circumstances in the emirate following the incident.
It confirmed that the festival's activities will continue according to the approved program, starting tomorrow, without any changes to the schedule of performances and accompanying events, with the opening ceremony segments being moved to the closing ceremony, to be presented in a manner befitting the status of the festival and its guests.
The committee expressed its thanks and appreciation to the guests and participants for their understanding and cooperation.