UAE mourns as Sheikha Hessa, mother of UAE President, dies

Rulers of the emirates and other Sheikhs, ministers, top officials and citizens came together to offer a funeral prayer following the death of Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the mother of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The prayer was offered after Duhr prayer at Al Mu'tareed Mosque in Al Ain on Sunday.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, were among those who performed the prayer.
Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman and Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla of Umm Al Quwain were also present for the funeral prayer.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has declared a three-day official mourning period starting Sunday, during which the UAE flags will be flown at half mast.
UAE leaders took to social media to express their condolences to Sheikh Khalifa.
"My deepest 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 Mohammed bin Rashid tweeted.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed expressed his sorrow over the death by tweeting: "From God we come and to Him we return. With great sorrow and sadness, we mourn the loss of the President's mother. May God give her recognition for her giving - to her family, UAE people and the country. May God bless her soul and grant her paradise, and grant us all the strength to endure and persevere."
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, tweeted: "My deepest condolences to the President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan over the loss of his mother. We ask God to bless her soul and grant her abode in Paradise, and grant Al Nahyan family forbearance."
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, tweeted: "From God we come and to Him we return. We ask God to have mercy ... May God bless her soul and grant her abode in paradise, and recognise her good acts."
Rulers express grief
Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates are mourning the death of Sheikha Hessa. In separate statements issued on Sunday, the Rulers expressed their deep condolences to Sheikh Khalifa.
Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah, extended their sincere condolences to Sheikh Khalifa. They also prayed to Allah to rest Sheikha Hessa's soul in peace.
The Rulers' courts also announced a three-day mourning, when the UAE flags will be flown at half mast.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com