Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), died at the age of 73 on May 13, Friday after combating illness for many years.
He served as the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004. The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced an official national mourning for the President’s death for the next 40 days starting from Friday, May 13. Flags will fly at half-mast during this time period.
The President praised the UAE’s remarkable growth as an “inspiring success story” to be shared with the world during the country’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2021. The leader further stated that firm foundations were in place to enable the UAE to flourish for decades to come and cement its position on the world stage.
Sheikh Khalifa also served as the chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council since the late 1980s. While he was in power, he was known as one of the wealthiest monarchs in the world.
People throughout the globe have been expressing grief over the demise of the President of the UAE. Similarly, some of the prestigious leaders of the UAE have expressed their condolences on their official Twitter handles.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
On his brother’s demise, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said, “We belong to God and to him we shall return. The Emirates has lost its righteous son, the leader of the “empowerment stage” and the trustee of its blessed journey. His stances, achievements, wisdom, giving and initiatives in every corner of the country. Khalifa bin Zayed, my brother, mentor, and teacher, may God have mercy on you with his vast mercy and enter you into his good pleasure and paradise.
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون .. فقدت الإمارات ابنها البار وقائد "مرحلة التمكين" وأمين رحلتها المباركة.. مواقفه وإنجازاته وحكمته وعطاؤه ومبادراته في كل زاوية من زوايا الوطن.. خليفة بن زايد، أخي وعضيدي ومعلمي ، رحمك الله بواسع رحمته وأدخلك في رضوانه وجنانه.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) May 13, 2022
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed tweeted, “Oh God, we witness that Khalifa bin Zayed has fulfilled his trust, served his flock, and loved his people. Oh God, his people have been satisfied with him, so be pleased with him and cover him with your mercy and put him in your vast gardens and inspire us and inspire his people, his family and his loved one’s patience and solace. We belong to God and Him, we shall return.”
اللهم إنا نشهدك أن خليفة بن زايد قد أدى أمانته.. وخدم رعيته .. وأحب شعبه..
اللهم إن شعبه قد رضي عنه .. فارض عنه .. وتغمده بواسع رحمتك .. وأسكنه فسيح جناتك .. وألهمنا وألهم شعبه وأهله وأحبابه الصبر والسلوان .. إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون .. pic.twitter.com/0NZhEvn7ej— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 13, 2022
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance of the UAE, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum said, “With hearts that believe in God’s decree and destiny, we mourn the march leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the people of the Emirates and the whole world. May God magnify us and reward you in this affliction. “
بقلوب مؤمنة بقضاء الله وقدره ننعى قائد المسيرة الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان لشعب الإمارات وللعالم أجمع .. عظم الله أجرنا وأجركم في هذا المصاب .. ونسأل الله أن يرفع مقامه .. ويعلي درجته .. ويرزقه فسيح جناته .. ويلهمنا جميعاً الصبر والسلوان .. آمين pic.twitter.com/NXDKkT7eV5
— Maktoum Bin Mohammed (@MaktoumMohammed) May 13, 2022
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE
His Highness Mansour tweeted, “With sincere hearts satisfied with the decree of God and his destiny, we bid farewell today to a believing leader, an inspiring president, an advising brother and a teacher, who led the nation’s march with sincerity and consolidated the renaissance of the state, and he was a school in morals, love of goodness, giving and giving.”
بقلوب صادقة راضية بقضاء الله وقدره نودع اليوم قائداً مؤمناً، ورئيساً ملهماً، وأخاً ناصحاً ومعلماً، قاد مسيرة الوطن بإخلاص ورسخ نهضة الدولة، وكان مدرسة في الأخلاق وحب الخير والبذل والعطاء.. رحم الله الشيخ خليفة بن زايد وتغمده بواسع رحمته ومغفرته، وأسكنه فسيح جناته
— الشيخ منصور بن زايد (@HHMansoor) May 13, 2022