Manama: Kuwait bid a highly emotional farewell to former Parliament Speaker Jassem Al Khorafi as thousands congregated at Sulaibikhat cemetery to pay tribute to an iconic figure of the nation’s modern history.
Crown Prince Shaikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and former Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad were among the mourners offering their condolences to the family of the deceased following the prayers and the funeral.
Al Khorafi died late on Thursday, reportedly on his way home from Turkey where he concluded a private visit. He was 75 years old.
The son of one of Kuwait’s richest and most revered families, Al Khorafi, like his father, played significant roles in business and in politics. The father, Mohammad Abdul Mohsin, was an outstanding lawmaker and an astute businessman who helped the Khorafi Group prosper in Kuwait and beyond,
Jassem had a highly remarkable spell at the parliament and was elected nine times as deputy. He made his debut in the legislative house in 1975 and eventually became the Speaker in 1999. He remained in the post until 2011 when he decided not to seek a new term.
As Speaker, he had to show strong leadership skills and exceptional aptitudes during difficult times when the country faced numerous political and social challenges.
Al Khorafi was member of the government as finance minister from March 1985 until June 1999.
Reports in Kuwait say that he also had a significant role in local, regional and international charitable work.
Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) said that Al Khorafi had six sons and one daughter and that most of them were in the business sector.
Several Kuwaiti officials and lawmakers paid rich tribute to Khorafi, saluting his leadership and moderation.
Kuwait’s leaders received cables of condolences from counterparts expressing their sympathy.
In Bahrain, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa sent cables of condolences to the Kuwaiti leaders.
A hashtag about Al Khorafi’s death was set up and several people used it to offer their condolences to the family and to pray for his soul.
“Our heartiest condolences to Al Khorafi family,” political analysts Abdullah Al Shaygi posted. “May God grant you fortitude to bear the terrible loss. From God we come and unto God we return,” he said.
Faisal Al Mutairi used the hashtag to share what he called the last picture taken of Al Khorafi, showing him sitting and smiling with friends in Turkey.
Some of the people who said they had political differences with Al Khorafi insisted they respected him and wanted to pray for him.
Some commenters highlighted the presence of another parliament speaker, Ahmad Al Saadoon, at the funeral to pay respect and offer hos condolences to the family.
While most commenters posted messages of sympathy, some users opted to remind people that even the richest people would die one day and that everyone should use their time and money to promote acts of charity and virtue.
