Queen Elizabeth II with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia in Hyde Park, in May 1967. Photo: Getty
Leaders from the Middle East have paid their tributes to Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who died at the age of 96 on September 8. The news was announced by Buckingham Palace, hours after it revealed that Her Majesty had been placed “under medical supervision” at her Balmoral residence in Scotland. The much-loved British royal had close ties with the region, having paid many formal visits to the Middle East, and nurtured friendships with ruling families which began during the early years of her reign of seven decades.
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, said, “I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the UK. Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country.”
Queen Elizabeth II with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid in Abu Dhabi, on a 2010 state visit to the Middle East. Photo: Getty
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, shared a portrait of the queen on his social media platforms, and said, “We join the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, a global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people. Her incredible lifetime of service and duty to the United Kingdom is unparalleled in our modern world.” HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared that the late royal was a “Queen of love, wisdom, and humanity. The world will miss you”.
Queen Elizabeth II with Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in 2018. Photo: Getty
Saudi Arabia, too, sent its condolences, with King Salman stating, “Her Majesty was a model of leadership that will be immortalized in history. We recall with appreciation her efforts in strengthening the relations and friendship between our two countries, as well as the high international status that Her Majesty enjoyed throughout her reign.” Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said, “I am saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who devoted her life in the service of her country. Her Majesty was an example of wisdom, love and peace, and the world remembers today the great impact she had throughout her reign.”
Read on for more messages from Arab leaders on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II with (left to right) Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, Queen Rania of Jordan, King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Princess Royal, during a private audience at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty
HM King Abdullah II of Jordan
“Jordan mourns the passing of an iconic leader. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades. She was a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend. We stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time.”
Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar
“Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the British people over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which with her loss the world has lost a great human symbol.”
Queen Elizabeth II receives the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said during an audience at Windsor Castle in 2021. Photo: Getty
HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman
HM the Sultan sent a “telegram of condolences to His Majesty King Charles III of Britain”, which mentioned, “The late Queen was a permanent friend of the Sultanate of Oman and contributed to strengthening the close bilateral relations between the two countries.” The Sultan has also issued orders to fly flags at half-mast in public and private sector buildings and at the embassies of the Sultanate of Oman on September 9.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait
The Emir expressed his and the Kuwaiti government’s deep sorrow and sympathy for the Queen’s death and noted that “the whole world had lost with her death a great leader who was wise, experienced and far-sighted. She had historical stance that contributed to shaping several regions in the contemporary world.” Flags will be lowered at half-mast for a period of three days in mourning.
Queen Elizabeth II and Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2015. Photo: Getty
King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Bahraini King
The ruler mourned the Queen’s “passing and emphasized that the world has lost a great source of inspiration and strength whose wisdom and humanity will be missed by all.” He has also ordered that flags be lowered to half-mast for three days.
Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Egyptian president
“I offer my sincere condolences, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Egypt, to the Royal Family, the British Government and the people of the United Kingdom, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country for decades with great wisdom.”
Barham Salih, Iraqi president
“I feel deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I offer my deepest condolences to the royal family and the people of the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth will be remembered as a great symbol of history who served with grace, dignity and steadfastness.”
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