‘We will remember him like our father’
Emiratis mourn beloved president Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences O O
The UAE began a 40-day period of official mourning on Friday after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, 73, the country’s president since 2004.
World leaders paid tribute and heads of state throughout the Gulf and the Arab world offered condolences, but nowhere was Sheikh Khalifa mourned more than in Abu Dhabi — the emirate that he ruled, and where he was born in the oasis city of Al-Ain in 1948.
Emirati citizen Ali Al-Khatri, who lives in the UAE capital, said: “We will remember him like our father.”
Sheikh Khalifa’s brother Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, said: “The UAE has lost its righteous son, leader of the ‘empowerment phase’ and guardian of its blessed journey. His stances, achievements, wisdom, generosity and initiatives are in every corner of the nation. Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother... may God have mercy on you and grant you access to paradise.”
Dubai’s ruler, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, said the country was mourning “with hearts filled with sadness.”
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia led condolences from the Gulf states and the Arab world, and the crown prince also spoke personally with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed by telephone. The king directed that funeral prayers for Sheikh Khalifa be performed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
There were also condolences from Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, India, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Iran and Ethiopia, among others.
US President Joe Biden described Sheikh Khalifa as a “true partner and friend of the United States,” and said the US would continue strengthening its ties with the UAE.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Sheikh Khalifa’s death. “He was a wise and respected leader who will be missed enormously. Through his work as president … he has made an enormous personal contribution to regional stability and conservation that will be long remembered,” Johnson said. Sheikh Khalifa was the second president of the UAE, a role that has always been held by the ruler of Abu Dhabi. He succeeded his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, who had united the seven emirates to form the UAE in 1971.
Under the constitution, the vice president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, will act as president until the Federal Supreme Council — the rulers of the seven emirates — meets within 30 days to elect a new president, who is expected to be Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
In addition to 40 days of mourning with flags flown at half-staff, work at all public and private sector organizations in the UAE has been suspended for three days as a mark of respect.