Condolences keep arriving for Sheikh Rashid

ABU DHABI // Rulers from around the Arab world continued to offer their condolences yesterday following the death of Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mua'lla, the late Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain and member of the Supreme Council. King Abdullah II of Jordan, King Mohammed VI of Morocco and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, all expressed their sympathy to Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mua'lla, the former Crown Prince who has assumed his father's titles, the state news agency WAM reported. UAE embassies in Riyadh and Tehran opened condolence books as mourners flocked to the two missions to offer their sympathies.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Qatar's foreign minister, and Prince Mashal bin Abdul Azizk, the chairman of the Allegiance Commission in Saudi Arabia, have also sent condolences. Locally, Sheikh Saud also received expressions of sympathy from Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras al Khaimah, and Abdul Aziz al Ghurair, Speaker of the Federal National Council.

Sheikh Rashid died on Friday. Federal government offices that had been closed in respect for his passing will reopen today, except in Umm al Qaiwain where government offices will remain closed until the end of this week. On Saturday, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led prayers at the funeral of Sheikh Rashid, which was attended by dignitaries and residents.

mswan@thenational.ae