Inspiring Dubai policeman dies of cancer

Tributes are being paid to an inspirational former Dubai policeman who has died of cancer.

Khalifa Mohammed Dafous Al Muhairi captured the attention of people across the Emirates by documenting his battle against lung cancer on social media. 

The 30-year-old, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and lost his left leg as the cancer spread, had been undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, described Al Muhairi as a source of optimism and hope.

خالص تعازينا ومواساتنا في فارس الإرادة خليفة محمد دعفوس المهيري ..سيبقى خليفة رحمه الله.. مصدرا ملهما للتفاؤل والأمل والصبر والإيجابية.. تقبله الله قبولا حسنا وأسكنه فسيح جناته وألهم ذويه الصبر والسلوان pic.twitter.com/oUjeSCPrlv

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 20, 2019

Those were also the words used in a tribute from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.

رحل البطل شابا
ولكنه ترك الأمل
والتفاؤل خلفه pic.twitter.com/TucPVXOEvN

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) August 20, 2019

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, also paid tribute on social media, saying that Al Muhairi was an inspiring example to all Emiratis.

نسأل الله سبحانه وتعالى أن يتغمد محارب السرطان خليفة بن دعفوس المهيري بواسع رحمته ويلهم أهله الصبر والسلوان.. خليفه كان مثال ملهم لكل الإماراتيين في صبره وقوة عزيمته أمام التحديات مهما عظمت .. رحمك الله يا بطلنا #خليفة_دعفوس pic.twitter.com/q1T0ch6jQL

— Maktoum Bin Mohammed (@MaktoumMohammed) August 20, 2019