UAE President and Abu Dhabi Ruler Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who oversaw much of the country’s blistering economic growth, died yesterday.
His Majesty King Hamad paid homage to the great leader, affirming that the late President had dedicated his life to serving his country and the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the entire humanity.
He issued an order declaring an official three-day mourning, during which flags in the kingdom will be lowered at half-mast.
The Sunni Endowments Council chairman and all affiliates of the Sunni Endowments Directorate ex- tended sincere condolences to the UAE government and its people.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also extended his deepest condolences to the UAE, praising Shaikh Khalifa ‘as a leader of great wisdom, who devoted his life to public service, his nation and his people’.
Bahrain extended its sincere condolences to the Al Nahyan Royal Family, UAE government and people, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless the deceased with mercy.
Shaikh Khalifa served as the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004. He was elected to succeed his father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the UAE’s first president since the union in 1971 until he passed away on November 2, 2004.
“The UAE has lost a loyal son, and the leader of its blessed empowerment journey, whose achievements, wisdom, giving and efforts are embodied in every corner of our country. Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, supporter and mentor, may Allah Almighty grant you eternal peace,” Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on his Twitter account.
Shaikh Mohammed and Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, carried the President’s body before he was laid to rest at the Al Bateen cemetery last night after nationwide prayers.
Born in 1948, Shaikh Khalifa was the second President of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of Abu Dhabi. He has presided over a major restructuring of both the federal government and the government of Abu Dhabi.
He launched the first strategic plan for the UAE government to achieve balanced and sustainable development, placing the prosperity of citizens and residents at the core. Shaikh Khalifa also steered the development of the oil and gas sector and the downstream industries that have contributed to the country’s economic diversification.
The UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs declared a 40-day state mourning with the flags flown at half-mast starting yesterday. It also said that work will be suspended at all UAE ministries, departments and federal, local and private entities for three days, starting today.
In line with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad, the Sunni Endowments Council chairman has directed all imams of mosques in Bahrain to perform absentee funeral prayer (Salat Al Ghaib) for the late UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan after Dhuhr (noon) prayer today.
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