UAE Announces 3-Day Mourning Period in Tribute to Kuwait's Late Emir

On Saturday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announced a three-day national mourning period in honor of the late Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah. 

The solemn declaration followed the passing of the Emir, prompting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to issue a directive for flags to be flown at half-mast starting immediately. 

This somber gesture is to be observed at all government departments within the UAE, as well as at the nation's embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide, as detailed in an advisory from the state news agency Wam.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his heartfelt sympathies to Kuwait and the royal family through a post on the social media platform X. 

In alignment with the President's directive, UAE Presidential Court conveyed that funeral prayers in absentia would be conducted for the late Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. 

These prayers are scheduled to take place in all mosques across the UAE following the noon prayers on Sunday.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, commenced his political journey at the age of 25 as the governor of Hawalli province. 

He continued in this role until 1978 before assuming the position of interior minister for the subsequent decade.

Following the demise of his predecessor in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in as the Emir of Kuwait.

As the nation mourns the loss of its leader, attention turns to Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, aged 83, who is poised to become the world's oldest crown prince and is next in line to assume the role of Kuwait's ruler.