ABU DHABI // The news of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s death on Friday shocked the entire Arab world and it was no different here in the UAE.
Both Emiratis and expatriates were keen to express their sorrow, while many Saudi nationals holidaying in the country decided to call off their trip and return home.
Dr Aseer Al Harbi, who was holidaying in Abu Dhabi, was one of the Saudis who decided to return home immediately after hearing the news on Friday morning.
“I cried too much when first I got the news through social media in the morning,” he said.
“I called my family members in the morning, who are also in deep sadness, and it’s big loss for us all.”
Fellow Saudi Badar Al Ghamidi, who was visiting the capital with his family, said: “King Abdullah was like a father for me and I am in deep sorrow. Because of this news, I cancelled all my plans and I am going back home tonight.”
King Abdullah was a great humanitarian, Mr Al Ghamidi said, and the news has saddened the entire kingdom.
Khaled Ali Sulaiman, who was also in the capital with family, said: “I am really very traumatised as the entire nation loved too much King Abdullah.”
He said he had already spent a week in the UAE but was planning to go back home on Friday night.
Emiratis, too, were touched by the death of the leader of a brotherly country and the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
“This is a sad day; we lost an Islamic, an Arabic and Gulf country leader who was a powerful voice for tolerance, moderation, and peace in the Islamic world and across the globe,” said Lateefa Mohammed.
“The death of His Majesty King Abdullah is a real loss for peace in the Middle East.
“Like his father, King Abdullah was a man of tremendous character and courage, a historic figure dedicated to advancing the lives of his people at home as well as his country’s leadership abroad.”
President Sheikh Khalifa ordered three days of national mourning in the UAE as well as a special prayer for the king after Isha prayers on Friday night, which people rushed to attend. Emirati Rashid Seed Al Mazrouei was one of them.
He said: “May Allah rest his noble soul in peace and Jennah [heaven].
“Kind Abdullah was similar to the late Sheikh Zayed as he had a heart for humanitarian works and was very generous.”
Saeed Al Kareem, an Emirati businessman from Dubai, said he was deeply saddened.
“He has been such a familiar face in the Middle East that I feel as though I’ve lost a member of my own family,” he said.
“I can’t imagine Saudi without him.
“I’ve been to Saudi a number of times on businesses and you can see the amazing changes that have happened there during his time.”
People of other nationalities also expressed their grief and offered tributes.
Michael Dawkins, 29, from Wellington, New Zealand, said the news of King Abdullah’s death came as a surprise.
“I know he had been ill for a while, so it’s not a complete shock, but you always take a step back when a world leader dies,” he said.
“I don’t know too much about him but I work with a couple of Saudis and I think they will be distraught at the news.
“They always spoke very highly of him and he’s going to be greatly missed.”
Abid Ali, 34, from Lahore, Pakistan, said: “King Abdullah has always been a good friend to Pakistan, as well as other Muslim countries, so this is a sad day.
“I think a lot of people will wonder how policies will change, if at all.
“He was greatly admired in many Islamic countries and I offer my condolences to his family and the people of Saudi Arabia.”
anwar@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting by Nadeem Hanif
