DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has declared three days of national mourning in the country following the death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday.
The Emir sent cables of condolences to new Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who pledged continuity hours after his accession to the throne following the death of his half-brother, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports.
Several high-profile events lined up in Qatar have been cancelled, including the scheduled Qatar Radio and Qatar TV programmes. They are airing recitals of verses from the Holy Quran.
The Emir praised the departed leader as one of the greatest and best in the Arab and Islamic world who devoted his life to the service of “our Arab and Islamic nations”.
QNA quoted a statement issued by the Emiri Diwan in which the Emir said King Abdullah was one of the most sincere advocates of the causes of the Arab and Islamic world, including its security and stability.
“He played a significant role in strengthening Arab solidarity and unity and called for dialogue and peace in the region and renunciation of violence and extremism.”
The Emir prayed to Allah the Almighty to bestow His grace and forgiveness on King Abdullah, make paradise his last abode, reward him for the good deeds he did for his country and grant the royal family, the Saudi people and the Arab and Islamic nations patience and solace.
The Emir flew to Riyadh and attended the janaza (funeral) prayers for King Abdullah, along with several Muslim leaders from across the world yesterday.
The Foreign Ministry said the Qatari flag at all ministries, government institutions and public facilities will be put at half-mast for three days. In a statement, the ministry expressed Qatar’s grief on King Abdullah’s death.
One of the richest and most influential men in history, King Abdullah was carried in a simple white shroud to an unmarked grave in a Riyadh cemetery where many of his commoner subjects rest, international wire agency Reuters said.
“A simple grave for one of the world’s most powerful kings,” wrote a Qatari woman on local social media, touched by the modesty. Qatari social media was full of rich tributes paid by nationals and expatriates to the late king.
In Saudi Arabia, there is no official mourning and flags around the kingdom all flew at full staff as the kingdom follows the Wahabi school of Sunni Islam which holds ostentatious displays of grief or mourning to be sinful, akin to idolatry, said Reuters.
At the Saudi embassy here also the national flag flew at full staff and an official told The Peninsula they wouldn’t lower it since the name of Allah is inscribed on it.
Bahrain has, meanwhile, declared 40 days of mourning and ordered closure of all government offices for three days as a mark of respect for the departed leader. Jordan has also declared 40 days of mourning.
In Saudi Arabia, government offices, closed for the Middle East’s normal Friday-Saturday weekend, will reopen as usual tomorrow, Reuters said.
The afternoon prayer that preceded King Abdullah’s burial in Riyadh yesterday was attended by Muslim leaders, Saudi princes, powerful clerics and billionaire Arab businessmen.
His body was transported to the mosque in a city ambulance, according to Reuters. It was borne through the crowds on a carpet on a simple stretcher, laid in front of the faithful at prayer and then carried by King Abdullah’s male relatives to the graveyard, where it was laid in the ground with no ceremony. The news agency that Saudi Arabia’s oil policy is unlikely to change under the new king who has retained veteran Oil Minister Ali Al Naimi.
Meanwhile, the Saudi embassy here will receive mourners offering condolences for three days from today from 9am until 3pm, QNA reported citing an embassy release. A special record will be kept for residents and visiting Saudis to pledge allegiance.
The Peninsula
