n a few hours after arriving on the Greek island of Mykonos for a summer vacation with friends, the long-awaited journey of Badr Abdullah Mohammed Al-Harami, 35, turned into a tragedy.While he was battling a strong sea current that swept him into deep water, he suffered a cardiac arrest, which claimed his life, leaving deep grief in the hearts of his family, friends and everyone who knew him.Thousands of citizens and residents mourned him in Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday after his body arrived at Dubai International Airport at dawn on an Emirates flight. Prayers were offered for him at the Diwan Mosque in the Mamoura area before he was laid to rest at Al-Hudaiba Cemetery, amid a large turnout that reflected the esteem in which he was held by members of his community.According to family insiders, Badr Abdullah left Abu Dhabi with a group of friends for Greece. They first arrived in the capital, Athens, before boarding a ferry that took about four and a half hours to reach the island of Mykonos. Since the hotel check-in time was 3pm, he suggested heading to the beach and using the time to swim, a hobby he loved and enjoyed.But a few minutes were enough to change everything, as the group was caught in strong sea currents that pushed them into deep water. His friends managed to survive, while Badr continued battling the waves until he suffered a cardiac arrest, according to medical reports, and died in a tragic incident.Social media platforms were filled with messages of condolence and prayers, while his friends and admirers recalled his humanitarian qualities and good character, stressing that he was an example of good manners and generosity.His friends and admirers also launched an initiative to build two mosques and dig a well as an ongoing charity in his memory. They were able to cover all related expenses before his funeral, in a humanitarian gesture that reflected the impact he left on the hearts of those who knew him.The deceased, a government employee from the Mu'areed area of Ras Al Khaimah, also held a special place within his family, as he was his parents' only son and had four sisters, which compounded the family's grief over the tragedy.The family of the deceased expressed their gratitude to the UAE Embassy in Greece, appreciating its efforts to facilitate the procedures for transporting the body to the homeland. They also thanked the UAE Ambassador in Athens, who was keen to communicate with the family, offer condolences and follow up on the procedures until the body arrived.
