His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, passed away at the age of 91. Sheikh Sabah ruled Kuwait since 2006 and directed its foreign policy for more than 50 years. This news was announced by his office on Tuesday. “With the utmost sadness and grief for the Kuwaiti people, the Islamic and Arab world and people of friendly nations, the Emiri Diwan mourn the death of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait,” his office said.
Emir Sheikh Sabah Was Hospitalised In The US Since July
Known as a humanitarian champion, Sheikh Sabah was hospitalised in the US since July. He also underwent surgery for an undefined condition in Kuwait the same month. He was also known for balancing relations with Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, he was known for rebuilding links with Iraq and keeping an open dialogue with Iran.
Kuwait’s Cabinet later announced that Sheikh Sabah had been succeeded by his brother, the crown prince Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai paid condolences to the late leader.
“May Allah forgive the kind father of Kuwait. The heart of the Gulf, the Emir of humanity, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. From God, we come and to Him, we return,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said in the tweet.
رحم الله أب الكويت الحاني..وقلب الخليج النابض..وأمير الإنسانية النبيل الشيخ صباح الأحمد الصباح.. حط رحاله عند رب رحيم كريم عظيم بعد أن خدم وقدّم وأكرم شعبه .. تعازينا لإخوتنا وأحبابنا شعب الكويت..ولكافة الشعوب العربية والإسلامية المحبة لأمير الإنسانية.. إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون pic.twitter.com/wGnBFtkjTO
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) September 29, 2020
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also offered condolences to His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait.
رحم الله الوالد والقائد العربي الكبير الشيخ صباح الأحمد..رجل الحكمة والتسامح والسلام، أحد الرواد الكبار في العمل الخليجي المشترك..ستظل مواقفه التاريخية المخلصة في خدمة وطنه وأمته والإنسانية، خالدة في ذاكرة الأجيال..خالص عزائنا ومواساتنا إلى آل الصباح الكرام والشعب الكويتي الشقيق pic.twitter.com/hQcR1M0GUK
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 29, 2020
Kuwait Has Announced 40-days of Mourning
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, also paid his respects.
السلام والريادة الإنسانية والتقدم والشغف بصناعة مستقبل أفضل للكويت ولمنطقتنا… يرحل عنا صاحب السمو الشيخ صباح الأحمد الجابر الصباح أمير دولة الكويت..سنفتقد قائداً استثنائياً تاركاً إرثاً من العطاء والإنسانية…نسأل الله أن يتغمده بواسع رحمته ويلهم أهلنا في الكويت الصبر والسلوان. pic.twitter.com/Qzz658mhVs
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) September 29, 2020
UAE will observe three-day mourning, while Kuwait will observe 40-days mourning. Flags in the country will be at half-mast during this period.
First Published: September 30, 2020 10:31 AM