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Condolences continue to pour in

DUBAI — Foreign embassies and associations in the country have expressed the sorrow and grief felt by their peoples and governments at the passing of a great and wise leader, the late president His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Letters and messages of condolences have poured in from all over the country and the world.

In a statement issued by the Indian Embassy, Indian President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam conveyed his government’s condolences at the passing of the late Shaikh Zayed to the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in it he said: “In the passing away of Shaikh Zayed, the UAE has lost its father figure, the Arab world, a great visionary and elderly statesman, and India, a highly cherished friend.”

The President of India, Dr A. P. J., Abdul Kalam, accompanied by a high-level delegation, which included Minister of State for External Affairs, E. Ahmad, Minister of State in Prime Ministers Office, P. Chauhan and other senior officials, visited Abu Dhabi on November 3 and 4 and offered condolences to Shaikh Khalifa on the passing of the late Shaikh Zayed.

The statement released by the embassy stated that Shaikh Zayed has been revered as a father figure in the UAE, having forged an enduring unity among the seven emirates and was known for his open-heartedness, generosity and compassion.

The statement continued: “India and the UAE have enjoyed very close and friendly relations. The late Shaikh Zayed visited India twice, in January 1975 and in April 1992. In recent years there have been regular high level interactions between India and the UAE. The first overseas visit by President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam to the UAE was in October 2003, his current visit to offer condolences to the bereaved nation stands testimony to the special value that India attaches to this relationship.”

In a statement by the Prime Minister of Canada, Paul Martin, issued on the day of Shaikh Zayed’s passing, he expressed the sympathy felt by the Canadian people on the passing of the late Shaikh Zayed.

“It is with sadness and regret that I learned of the death of Shaikh Zayed. As President of the UAE since it was established in 1971, Shaikh Zayed steered his country toward reform and made it a regional trading and financial hub. He also played a key role in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council, officially started in Abu Dhabi in 1981.

“Canada and the UAE enjoyed an excellent relationship under Shaikh Zayed. The remarkable economic developments of the UAE, in the three decades since its independence, has involved the contributions of many Canadians, from the establishment of the country’s educational and health systems to the design and construction of its landmarks. We hope to continue building on this relationship.

“The heartfelt sympathy of Canadians goes out to the family of Shaikh Zayed and to the people of the United Arab Emirates,” the Prime Minister’s statement read.

The Canadian Ambassador to the UAE, W. David Hutton, expressed his condolences to the people and Government of the UAE and to the family of the late Shaikh Zayed, in its he said: “The legacy of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan will be a lasting reflection of his vision and wisdom. The passing of this great statesman is deeply mourned by all. The people and Government of Canada express their sincere condolences to the people and Government of the UAE.

Hussain Bero, Lebanese Ambassador to the UAE, expressed condolences of the people and Government of Lebanon at the sad passing of Shaikh Zayed. The ambassador said the late Shaikh Zayed had devoted his life to serve the people of the UAE and the Arab nation.

“He was a great figure who inspired Arabs and Muslims across the world. The late president embraced the causes of Arabs and became a big personality with a great vision of development for the UAE and the Arab nation. He had pioneering and distinctive stances that won’t be forgotten. Lebanon would always remember the historic stances of the late president who supported the cause of the Lebanese people. Lebanon will continue to be a faithful ally to the UAE and its wise rulers who would follow the path of the late Shaikh Zayed and achieve prosperity and growth for the UAE,” Bero, said.

Condoling the death of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Consul General of Pakistan Amanullah Larik said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened at the demise of the late president Shaikh Zayed. His vision, wisdom and leadership served as a beacon not only for the UAE but for the whole Ummah during the last three decades.

“Pakistanis living in the UAE share their grief and sorrow of the government and the people of the UAE. They always took Shaikh Zayed as patron of the Pakistani community living in the UAE and they will miss his affection for decades to come.”

Condoling the death of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Consul General of Bangladesh in Dubai Kamarul Ahsan said: “It is a great loss to the Muslim world, particularly Bangladesh and Bangladeshi people.”

“Shaikh Zayed was not only a father to the people of the UAE, but he was also the father of all the expatriates living in the country,” he said, adding “We pray to Almighty Allah to give the entire nation the fortitude to bear the loss of a great leader.”

Ahsan also said that the UAE was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh. “I still remember Shaikh Zayed’s relentless efforts before the Iraq war. He was a peace loving man,“ he added. Mr Ahsan also said that the Bangladeshi community would be holding special prayers and meeting for the departed soul. “All our community centres in Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Abu Dhabi will be holding special prayer meetings and Quran recitations,” the ambassador said.

The Office of the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, also sent a message of condolence to the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the passing of Shaikh Zayed; in it, the Ethiopian President, Girma Wolde Giorgis, said: “It is with profound sorrow that I have learned the sad news of the passing away of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The death of Shaikh Zayed is a great loss to the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates and to all members of his family.”

The letter continued: “On behalf of the people and the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and on my own behalf I would like to extend to you and to the people of the United Arab Emirates my heartfelt sympathy and condolence.”

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi including its attached agencies, namely the labour and trade offices, will be closed for eight days effective November 3, 2004, to officially mourn the sad passing of Shaikh Zayed. Consular outreach services in Dubai were cancelled yesterday (4.11), the Embassy may be contacted at 02 6345664 or 02 6345665.

The Pakistan Association Dubai announced that due to the sad demise of Shaikh Zayed, the association’s office remained closed on November 3 and 4. As a result the election schedule for the office bearers of the association for the 2004/2006 term, has been changed and amended.

The association will receive nomination papers from the candidates for various posts on November 8 from 9am to 1pm and from 8:30pm to 10pm. The declaration of the list of candidates will be made on November 10, on the 20th the final list of candidates will be declared. Election by secret ballot will beheld from November 23 to 26 between 5pm and 9pm. Results will be announced on the 27th and the oath taking ceremony for elected office bearers will be on November 30. Nomination forms for the 2004/2006 elections are available at the association office.

The Pakistan Association Dubai expressed its deep sorrow on the sad demise of the late Shaikh Zayed in a message of condolence to Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In the letter, Saleem Farooq, General Secretary of the association, said: “His death is not only a loss to the people of the UAE but to the Muslim world as well, especially to the people of Pakistan. He was a great humanitarian. The well being of his people was always closer to his heart. Under his leadership, the UAE became a modern yet traditional Arab state and commanded respect among the world community.

“The Pakistani expatriates in the UAE are very grateful to Shaikh Zayed for his kindness towards our community. In him we have lost a great friend of Pakistan.”

The Memon business community from Pakistan joined the nation in grief in mourning the sad demise of the late Sheikh Zayed, according to a statement from the Memon community in the UAE: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates. May Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace.

The Indian Association in Umm Al Quwain held a condolence meeting for the Indian community at its premises on November 3. The association’s president, C. M. Bashir, presided over the meeting and expressed deep sorrow and grief on the sad demise of Shaikh Zayed. General Secretary M. N. B. Muthalaly, read out the condolence message.

The Muslim Educational Society, UAE Committee and Dubai Unit both extended their deep condolences at the passing of the late Shaikh Zayed. An urgent meeting of the society’s UAE committee was held under the chairmanship the committee president, K. K. Ashraf. An urgent meeting of the society’s Dubai Unit was also held under the chairmanship of Safar Ali, the unit’s president.

Private companies and multinational firms also expressed their sorrow at the loss of a great leader. The Boeing Company submitted a condolence message on the passing of the late Shaikh Zayed. John B Craig, the Boeing Company’s regional Vice President, Middle East, said in the message: “On behalf of the Boeing Company, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Al Nahyan family and the people of the United Arab Emirates on the sad departure of His Highness the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

“Shaikh Zayed was a visionary leader and the founding father of the UAE; who achieved prosperity for his people and leaves an impressive legacy of stability, progress and respect for the dignity of all men. His many friends and admirers will mourn his passing and honour his memory.”

The Tomaco Group of Companies also sent a message of condolence on the passing of Shaikh Zayed. Tom Jones, chairman of the group, said that the sudden death of Shaikh Zayed has cast a gloom over the UAE and the Middle East: “It is an irreparable loss. Shaikh Zayed was a synonym of all round progress and development in the UAE. His vision of a modern UAE with a first class infrastructure for a take-off to the 21st century has fully materialised.