UAE Declares Three-Day Mourning After Passing Away Of President's Brother Saeed bin Zayed

UAE announced three-day of mourning following the passing away of Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, brother of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as Abu Dhabi's Ruler's Representative, died on Thursday morning due to health issues the Presidential Court said in a statement.

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful... With hearts faithful to God's decree and destiny, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns his late brother, H.H. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, who passed away today," The Presidential Court issued a statement on Thursday, WAM reported.

The UAE Presidential Court further mentioned that the official mourning with flags flown at half-mast for a period of three days, starts on Thursday.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan performed the funeral prayer on the same day after the Dhuhr prayer for his late brother at Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed the First Mosque in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi.

A video of the funeral prayer was shared on YouTube:

The late Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's brother, Sheikh Omar bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who serves as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, mourned his brother's death, noting that he was "a supporter and a pillar."

"The nation has lost a man of principles who was loyal and devoted to his country and leadership," he said. "We pray to Allah Almighty to rest his soul in Paradise and grant us patience and solace."

Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan also mourned his brother's death.

Many officials in the UAE and international dignitaries shared their condolences.

Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call from the President of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC), Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, who expressed his condolences and sympathy to the UAE and the people.

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan shared his "deepest condolences" on Twitter.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif wrote, "I am deeply grieved to learn of the passing of Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed, the brother of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, President of the UAE."

He added, "I extend my deepest condolences and most sincere sympathies to my brother Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, the bereaved royal family and the people of the UAE. May Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace! Ameen."

President of Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; President of Tunisia, Kais Saied; President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi; King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan; President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud; Transitional President of the Republic of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno; President of Israel, Isaac Herzog; Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani and Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati also expressed their condolences.