Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Obituary, Death, Tribute & Funeral
United Arab Emirates President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is dead. He died at the age of 73 years. He was president from 2004 until his death on 13th May.
Sheikh Khalifa battled illnesses causing stroke for several years, thereby ceasing to have day-to-day affairs. His younger brother, who is the crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, took over as the de facto ruler in 2014 after Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke and has since assumed that position.
Khalifa, the eldest son of the UAE’s first leader after the federation’s formation in 1971, held the most powerful position among the seven semi-autonomous city-states stretching along the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
He is known to have had eight children – two sons and six daughters – with his first wife, Sheikha Shamsa bint Suhail Al Mazrouei.
Tributes to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
World Leaders are mourning the passing away of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Ministry of Presidential Affairs in the UAE announced the death of the Abu Dhabi Ruler on Friday, May 13. Tributes have started pouring in from Arab leaders and other world leaders.
Following the official announcement of his death by the Emirate state news agency WAM, Arab leaders including Bahrain’s king, Egypt’s president and Iraq’s prime minister have expressed their condolences.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conveyed his condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa, whom he described as “a true friend of the United States”. “We deeply valued his support in building the extraordinary partnership our countries enjoy today. We mourn his passing, honour his legacy, and remain committed to our steadfast friendship and cooperation with the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
The US President Joe Biden, on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, added, “Sheikh Khalifa was a friend of the United States throughout his decades-long tenure as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi and in his earlier role as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. On behalf of the American people, I offer my condolences to Sheikh Khalifa’s family and all Emiratis as they mourn this great loss. We will honour his memory by continuing to strengthen the long-standing ties between the governments and people of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”
The UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced a 40-day state mourning period.
