UAE rulers and dignitaries pay tribute

General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of interior, today expressed his sorrow at the death of His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Shaikh saif said in a statement that he had received the news of Shaikh Maktoum's death with deep sadness, adding that he was “a true aide to and partner of  the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan throughout the long march of building the federation and its achievements.”

Shaikh Saif offered his sincere condolences to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, their highnesses the members of the supreme council and rulers of the emirates, the brothers of the late Shaikh Maktoum (General Sheikh Mohammad
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai deputy ruler and Shaikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum) and to other members of Al Maktoum family.

''We pledge to the deceased that we will  remain loyal to the path which he and other founding leaders of the emirates set in motion when he became the UAE's first prime minister,” he said.

Qassim Sultan, director general of Dubai Municipality, said: :it is a sad day for the entire population in the UAE, and in the Arab and Islamic worlds. The death of Shaikh Maktoum is a big loss not only for the country but the GCC and the region as a whole.

“He was a kind-hearted man, beloved to the people of the UAE, who extended a helping hand and care to people not only in the UAE, but in other countries of the world. He left his fingerprints on the emirate's and the country's march towards progress and prosperity.”

The court of His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, today expressed its sorrow at the death His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

"With the heart of a true believer, patience and deep grief, the Fujairah Ruler's Court mourns the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who passed away in the early morning of today," A statement from the Fujairah Ruler's Court said.

The Court announced a 40-day official mourning period, during which local departments and institutions will remain closed for seven days beginning from today, Wednesday January 4, 2006.

The court of His Highness Shaikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, today expressed its sorrow at the death His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

"With the heart of a true believer, patience and deep grief, the Umm Al Quwain Ruler's Court mourns the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who passed away in the early morning of today," A statement from the Umm Al Quwain Ruler's Court said.

The Court announced a 40-day official mourning period, during which local departments and institutions will remain closed for seven days beginning from today, Wednesday January 4, 2006.

The court of His Highness Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, today expressed its sorrow at the death His Highness Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

"With the heart of a true believer, patience and deep grief, the Sharjah Ruler's Court mourns the death of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who passed away in the early morning of today," A statement from the Sharjah Ruler's Court said.

The Court announced a 40-day official mourning period, during which local departments and institutions will remain closed for seven days beginning from today, Wednesday January 4, 2006.