UAE leaders mourn passing of Sheikh Hamdan

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has expressed its condolences on the death of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

In a statement, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his sincere condolences and sympathies to the Al Maktoum family, asking Allah Almighty to grant them patience and solace to bear their loss.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, posted on social media to mourn the passing of his brother.

"We belong to God and to Him we shall return... May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion," His Highness wrote on his official Twitter handle.

إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون ... رحمك الله يا أخي وسندي ورفيق دربي.. وأحسن مثواك .. وضعت رحالك عند رب كريم رحيم عظيم .. pic.twitter.com/xAw3rXIwoj

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 24, 2021

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also expressed his condolences on his official social media handle.

"Today we lost one of the loyal men of the Emirates after a life full of giving and sincere patriotism. May God have mercy on my brother Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid and reward him with the best reward for what he offered to his country and its people," he wrote.

The Court of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the Court of His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, have mourned the death of Sheikh Hamdan.

The Court of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; the Court of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, also expressed their condolences.

The UAE flag will be flown at half-mast in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain for three days.

فقدنا اليوم أحد رجالات الإمارات المخلصين بعد حياة زاخرة بالعطاء والعمل الوطني الصادق..رحم الله أخي الشيخ حمدان بن راشد وجزاه خير الجزاء على ما قدمه لوطنه وشعبه.. أعزي نفسي وأخي محمد بن راشد وآل مكتوم الكرام في هذا المصاب الجلل..داعيا الله أن يلهمهم الصبر والسلوان pic.twitter.com/mImz6hHTiZ

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 24, 2021

In addition, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa, posted a message on Twitter to say "today the Emirates lost an historical man, a dear and glorious Sheikh".

فقدت الإمارات اليوم رجل من رجالها التاريخيين، وفقدنا شيخا عزيزا جليلا، رحم الله الشيخ حمدان بن راشد آل مكتوم وغفر له، وندعو الله سبحانه وتعالى أن يخفف مصاب أنجاله وآل مكتوم الكرام وأن يلهمهم الصبر ويحسن عزائهم، نسأل المولى جلّ وعلى أن يمنَّ على الفقيد بالرحمة والرضوان. pic.twitter.com/7q2FyznGp7

— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) March 24, 2021