SHARJAH // The office of the Ruler of Sharjah has announced the death of Sheikha Alia bint Mohammed Al Qassimi, sister of the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, and mother of Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Qassimi, the emirate’s deputy ruler.
Sheikha Alia died this morning.
Funeral prayers will be held today at King Faisal Mosque after Asr prayers and Sheikha Alia’s body will be laid to rest at Al Jubail graveyard, where members of the Al Qassimi royal family are buried.
Sheikh Abdullah will receive condolences from men at Al Badea palace. Women can offer their condolences at the majlis of Sheikh Faisal bin Khalid Al Qassimi in Al Ramla for three consecutive days.
An official mourning period of seven days, starting from today, has been announced, during which flags will be flown at half-mast in the emirate.
Wam, the state news agency, has reported that the president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister, have sent cables offering their condolences to the ruler of Sharjah and the Al Qassimi family.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also sent his condolences.
ykakande@thenational.ae
