Bangladesh
UAE President Bangladesh declares one-day national mourning on demise of UAE President
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, May 14: The government has decided to observe a day of national mourning on Saturday following the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A statement issued by the Cabinet on Friday said, "A day of national mourning will be observed in Bangladesh on Saturday (May 14) following the death of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who was a true friend of Bangladesh."
On this occasion, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast in all government and non-government buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad, including government, semi-government and autonomous institutions and educational institutions in Bangladesh on Saturday.
A special prayer will be held in all mosques of Bangladesh on May 14 for the soul of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. Special prayers for the peace of his soul will be organized in other religious institutions.
Dubai-based Khaleej Times reported, quoting UAE state news agency WAM, that UAE President and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, had died at the age of 73 on Friday (May 13).
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed had been the President of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004. After the death of UAE's first President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khalifa was elected his successor.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was born in 1948, was the second President of the United Arab Emirates and the 16th ruler of Abu Dhabi. He was the eldest son of the late Sheikh Zayed.
Since becoming President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa played a key role in restructuring both the country's central and local governments. During his rule, the emirate moved towards rapid development and ensured a peaceful life for the people of the country.
Sheikh Khalifa successfully contributed to the diversification of the country's economy, including the development of the UAE's oil and gas sector. He took the initiative to develop a system for nominating members of the Federal National Council, which is considered as the first step in the UAE's direct election process.
This popular leader in the UAE used to listen to the people regularly on various occasions including government activities.
