Arab singers mourn death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa

From Emirati star Hussain Al Jassmi to Lebanese singer Elissa, the region's celebrities are paying tribute

Arab singers such as Balqees Fathi and Nancy Ajram have offered condolences after UAE President Sheikh Khalifa's death. Ryan Carter / The National

Musical luminaries from the region have offered their condolences after the death of the UAE's President, Sheikh Khalifa.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs announced the death of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday. He was 73.

Emirati singers Ahlam Alshamsi and Hussain Al Jassmi posted on Twitter a supplication in tribute to the leader, writing: “God, have mercy on Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, pardon him and pardon for him. Reward him with kindness and goodness. Wash him with water, the cold and snow, cleanse him of sins as a white garment is cleansed of filth.”

Kuwaiti singer Nawal El Kuwaitia also offered her “sincere condolences and sympathies”.

“May God have mercy on him and put him in peace,” she tweeted. “May He inspire patience and solace to the family of the late Al Nahyan, as well as the people of the Emirates and the Gulf. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.”

Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram wrote on Twitter that “with the death of Sheikha Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Arab nation has lost a brave leader with an exceptional legacy. May his soul rest in peace.”

Other celebrities who have offered their condolences include Iraq-Saudi singer Majid Almohandis, Emirati singer Balqees Fathi, Lebanese singers Najwa Karam and Nawal El Zoghbi, and Saudi singer Rabeh Sager.

Lebanese star Elissa also posted a tribute to the leader, writing: “All my condolences to the UAE and its beloved people on the death of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He was a visionary with a path of dialogue, openness and progress.”

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has stated there will be an official mourning period of 40 days in the UAE with flags at half-staff.

Work at ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels, as well as work in the private sector, will be suspended for three days.

Sheikh Khalifa's life of public service — in pictures

Sheikh Khalifa, right, and dignitaries watch a parade on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate Accession Day, on November 28 1971. Photo: Al Ittihad

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher greets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at 10 Downing Street in London, on July 18, 1984. Keystone / Hulton Archive

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Zayed inspects plans for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with his sons Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Sultan. Photo: Al Ittihad

French President Jacques Chirac speaks to Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the end of his visit to the UAE on December 16, 1997. Reuters

US President Bill Clinton meets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 12, 1998. Reuters

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to President Sheikh Khalifa, on the sidelines Sheikh Zayed's funeral in Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2004. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa stands for a photo with the UAE national football team at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on January 31, 2007, after the team beat Oman to win the Gulf Cup for the first time. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa watches the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 1, 2009, with Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakstan, and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ryan Carter / The National

President Sheikh Khalifa greets Oman's leader, Sultan Qaboos, at Al Ain airport on July 11, 2011. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa leaves Al Ain on December 30, 2012, for a private visit to Pakistan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, presents the first copy of his new book 'Flashes of Thought' to President Sheikh Khalifa in 2013. Wam

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Khalifa at Windsor Castle in southern England on April 30, 2013. Reuters

President Sheikh Khalifa meets family members at his home in Evian, France, in 2014. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, on May 8, 2019. Also present is Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa performing Umrah. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Wam