Following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, in the United States at the age of 91, Sheikh Nawaf took the oath of office in September 2020 Image Courtesy Reuters
Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the 86-year-old Emir of Kuwait, was buried today in a private ceremony, according to Al Jazeera. He passed away on Saturday.
Only members of the royal family attended the prayer ritual in Kuwait City’s Bilal bin Rabah mosque and the emir’s funeral procession to Sulaibikhat cemetery on Sunday, which was televised on state television.
Only Parliament Speaker Ahmed al-Sadoun was allowed to attend the prayers in the mosque, apart from the al-Sabah family.
According to Al Jazeera, Kuwait’s next emir, Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, 83, was seen at the ceremony escorting his half-brother’s coffin, which was draped in a Kuwaiti flag.
The public will offer condolences to the new emir on Monday and Tuesday.
The government has declared a 40-day period of mourning and has closed its offices for three days, till Tuesday. Over Kuwait City, flags were flown at half mast, while enormous digital billboards featured pictures of the deceased monarch.
Al Jazeera reports that Kuwait’s Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we–the Kuwaiti people, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the friendly peoples of the world–mourn the late His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, who passed away to his Lord today,” Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al Sabah, the minister of his emiri court, said in a statement on Saturday as it aired on state television.
Following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, in the United States at the age of 91, Sheikh Nawaf took the oath of office in September 2020.
His brother and predecessor, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, ruled for fourteen years and played a significant role in shaping the foreign policy of the Arab state. At the age of 91, he passed away in September 2020, according to Al Jazeera.
Before taking the throne, Sheikh Nawaf held influential positions for many years. He was proclaimed heir presumptive in 2006, and in 1990, he was serving as interim minister of defence when Iraqi forces invaded the oil-rich emirate. He was also the interior minister in response to threats from armed groups.
In observance of the deceased leader, the Indian government said Sunday that the entire nation would be in state of mourning. The Indian Tricolour is being flown at half-mast on all buildings across the nation as part of the state of mourning.
Additionally, the Indian Tricolour is flown at half-mast in all Indian high commission, embassy, consulate, and India House facilities worldwide.
In the press release, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “In the demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait has lost a visionary leader who took the country towards progress and prosperity. India and Kuwait maintained close and friendly relations under the leadership of the late Amir.”
“He was steadfast in guiding and strengthening bilateral engagements for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries. The large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait will miss his presence and compassionate care,” it added.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is “deeply saddened” to learn about the unfortunate demise of the Emir of Kuwait.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. We convey our deepest condolences to the Royal family, the leadership and the people of Kuwait.”
(With agency inputs)