Four young Indian expatriate brothers tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Abu Dhabi on Sunday morning. Their funeral took place on Tuesday, where they were laid to rest side by side in a cemetery in Dubai, leaving a community in shock and mourning.

Community Mourning in Dubai

The atmosphere was heavy as hundreds gathered at Al Qusais Cemetery in Muhaisnah to pay their respects. Family members, friends, and community peers all felt the impact of this tragedy as they witnessed the burial of Abdul Latheef and Rukhsana’s four sons. The boys’ father, who attended the funeral in a wheelchair, stood as a poignant reminder of the family’s heartbreaking loss. “I’ve never seen anything like this before — a mass burial of children from the same family,” a social worker at the scene noted, emphasizing the collective sorrow shared among those present.

The tragedy unfolded when the brothers—Ashaz, aged 14; Ammaar, aged 12; Ayyash, aged five—and their domestic helper, Bushra Fayaz Yahu, aged 49, suffered a fatal crash while returning to Dubai from the Liwa Festival. The news struck the family like a lightning bolt, altering their lives forever.

Devastating News Unveiled Slowly

Family members faced the agonizing task of informing the parents about their sons’ death. Abdul Latheef received the disheartening news late on Sunday night. However, his wife, Rukhsana, was not informed until Tuesday, following her surgery for an injured hand sustained during the accident. A relative expressed sorrow over the delay, stating, “A counseling team had to deliver the news to her. We tried to give them the necessary privacy during this excruciating time.”

During this period, Izzaa, the couple’s only surviving child, remained unaware of the tragedy while recuperating in the hospital. She was seen playing on her phone, seemingly oblivious to the loss that had rocked her family. As the extended family made funeral preparations in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, they gathered strength from community support.

A Fateful Decision

Just days before the incident, the family was enjoying life in the UAE, where Abdul Latheef managed his own business in Ras Al Khaimah and Rukhsana worked as a property consultant in Dubai. With their five children at the heart of their existence, they made the decision to return home early from the Liwa Festival to prepare for school after the winter break. It was a choice made with love and responsibility that unfortunately turned into a devastating chapter of unimaginable sorrow.

The accident occurred around 4 am on Sunday, as they were making their way back to Dubai. Family members and friends are left grappling not just with the loss of these young lives but also with the eternal questions that weigh heavy on a grieving heart. The entire community continues to seek answers from local authorities, as Gulf News awaits a statement from the Abu Dhabi Police regarding the circumstances surrounding the accident.

As the family finds a way to navigate this grief, it becomes evident how fragile life can be. The memory of these young boys will remain not just in the hearts of their family but also in the community that came together during this time of unparalleled sorrow.