Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid leads funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid

Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance laid to rest at Umm Hurair cemetery

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the funeral prayers.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, performs funeral prayers for the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid at Zabeel Mosque. All photos Courtesy Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed carry the body of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid to his final resting place in Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai. Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed carry the body of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid to his final resting place in Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai. Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid spent his life in service of Dubai and the country.

Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum carry the body of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid to his final resting place in Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai.

Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum at the final resting place of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid in Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday performed funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.

They took place in Zabeel Mosque, where Sheikh Mohammed was joined by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Other sheikhs of the Al Maktoum family participated in the prayers.

After the prayers, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid was laid to rest at Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai.

He died on Wednesday and a mourning period of 10 days was declared in Dubai.

Flags will fly at half-staff and work will be suspended in government departments and institutions for three days, starting on Thursday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid's death comes during the Covid-19 pandemic and the mourning period reflects precautionary measures.

Funeral prayers were limited to family members only while absentee prayers were held after maghrib in mosques on Wednesday.

Sheikh Hamdan, who was in his seventies, had been unwell for some months. Sheikh Mohammed tweeted prayers and well-wishes for his brother as recently as March 9.

On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed posted a picture of his brother saying: "We belong to God and to Him we shall return ... May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion."

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, paid tributes to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid. "Today, we lost one of the loyal men of the Emirates after a life full of giving and sincere patriotism," Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter.

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