Today, the region mourns the passing of HH Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, mother of the President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan. Sheikha Hessa was the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Father of the Nation, and the great-granddaughter of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa, known as Zayed the First.
The news came via the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, which also announced three days of official mourning. Across the UAE, flags have been lowered to half-mast and radio stations will only play verses from the Quran during this period, while live entertainment has been canceled.
On Twitter, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, wrote, “My deep condolences to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and all the people of the UAE, on our loss of his mother Her Highness Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan. May she rest in peace.”
Sheikh Zayed Mosque at dusk, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Getty
Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, sent her “heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Sheikh Khalifa” and said that Sheikha Hessa was “beloved and respected across the nation.”
The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, wrote, “We extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the death of his mother Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan. We pray to Almighty Allah that her soul rests in eternal peace.”
Manuel Arnaut writes, “We send our most sincere condolences to the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, on the passing of his mother, Her Highness Sheikha Hessa. Our thoughts and prayers are with the royal family.”
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