UAE RULERS AND MINISTERS PAY TRIBUTE TO ‘INSPIRATIONAL LEADER AND PRESIDENT’
▶ Sheikh Khalifa is praised for his service to the country and its people as the nation unites in mourning
UAE leaders paid tribute to President Sheikh Khalifa yesterday. His death at the age of 73 was announced by state news agency Wam. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, expressed his sorrow at the announcement and called Sheikh Khalifa was a “dedicated leader” of the country.
“With great sadness, we mourn the death of our leader and President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I pray to Allah Almighty to grant him peace in paradise,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Sheikh Khalifa was a dedicated leader who served and loved his people, a love they reciprocated, and we ask Allah Almighty to grant us solace and patience.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, also shared a message online paying tribute to the President.
“The people of the Emirates are united in grief as we mourn the loss of our leader and President, Khalifa bin Zayed,” Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.
“My brother and mentor, and the UAE’s first son, we were blessed by your strength, wisdom and leadership. May God have mercy on your soul and may you rest in peace.”
Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, said the country had lost “an outstanding leader, a wise man and a very virtuous person”.
“He was dedicated to his country, his religion, his nation and the world at large,” Sheikh Dr Sultan said.
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, described Sheikh Khalifa as “one of the world’s greatest leaders”.
“Today, the UAE bids farewell to its leader and a national icon, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed,” Sheikh Hamad said.
“He was a man with a generous soul and a champion of tolerance.
“The late Khalifa bin Zayed will go down in history as one of the world’s greatest leaders. I pray to Allah Almighty to grant my brother, my friend and partner, eternal peace.”
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, also mourned the death of the President. They extended their sincere condolences and sympathy to the Al Nahyan family and the people of the UAE, and asked God to grant Sheikh Khalifa eternal peace and the people of the UAE patience and solace, Wam reported.
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, also expressed sorrow at the news.
“Today, the UAE bids farewell to its beloved leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, a man with a generous soul and champion of tolerance,” he said. “The late president will remain a bright beacon for future generations.
“I pray to Allah Almighty to grant him eternal peace and to rest his soul in paradise.”
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said the Emirates had lost a great leader.
“Today, we bid farewell to an inspirational leader and President, a brother and a teacher, who led the nation with dedication, laid down the foundation of the UAE’s renaissance, and was a role model of morality, kindness and giving. I pray to Allah Almighty to grant Khalifa bin Zayed eternal peace,” Sheikh Mansour said.
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said: “May God have mercy on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a great leader who carried the trust faithfully, won the love of his people and brought to his country the love of the world, so the Emirates became a lofty beacon.”
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, added to the tributes yesterday.
“With hearts that believe in God’s judgment and destiny, we mourn with the UAE people and the entire world the death of the leader of the journey, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” he said.
“May God make our and your reward great in this affliction. We pray to God to raise his abode in heaven, grant him the highest ranks in paradise, and grant us solace and patience.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, described Sheikh Khalifa as an “outstanding leader”.
“It is not easy to mourn a leader the size of a nation and a man who spent his life elevating his people and the glory of his country,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “He was an outstanding leader who followed the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed, the man of goodness.
“May God have mercy on our leader and father, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said “the brother, the leader and the great man” had died.
“May God have mercy on our dear deceased and leader of the homeland, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed,” he said. “The homeland has lost the father of all and the man of humanity. May God forgive him and have mercy on him and enter him into your vast gardens.”
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, also paid tribute.
“With hearts satisfied with the decree of God, we bid farewell to the leader [who put the country on] the path of leadership and empowerment. May God bless you with his mercy,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said Sheikh Khalifa was “one of the knights of building our union”.
“May God have mercy on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and grant him the highest paradise for what he offered to his people and nation,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, chairman of the Dubai Media Council, said: “After a long journey of giving and benevolence to his people and his nation, we bid farewell to our father and our leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.”
Hussain Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said Sheikh Khalifa’s death was a loss to the world.
“His goodness reached all corners of the world,” Mr Al Hammadi said.
“He empowered the vulnerable and the poor without discrimination on the basis of religion, race or colour. His journey was a continuation of the late Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s Founding Father.”
Mohamed Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said Sheikh Khalifa “strengthened the pillars of the Union and contributed his wisdom” to the prosperity of the Emirates.
“Under the wise leadership of the late His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE attained key milestones and maintained a strong position globally,” Mr Al Hussaini said.
Sheikh Khalifa was a dedicated leader who loved his people, a love they reciprocated
SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID Vice President and Ruler of Dubai
The people of the Emirates are united in grief as we mourn the loss of our leader and President, Khalifa bin Zayed
SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED Ruler of Abu Dhabi