International   

Sheikh Maktoum laid to rest

Atul Aneja

Arab leaders, thousands of mourners attend funeral

The casket of late Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is carried out of the Zabeel Mosque after prayers, in Dubai on Thursday. — PHOTO: AP

DUBAI: The funeral of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has taken place amid the presence of thousands of mourners, including several Arab leaders. Sheikh Maktoum, who was also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), died on Wednesday at the age of 62, while visiting Australia.

Mourners gathered at the Zabeel mosque in Dubai, for funeral prayers.

King Abdullah II of Jordan, the crown princes of Qatar and Morocco, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, and the Duke of Gloucester, who represented Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, attended the funeral.

At the graveside, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who succeeds Sheikh Maktoum as the ruler of Dubai, mingled with relatives as the body was brought, wrapped in a white cloth and on a wooden stretcher. The city of Dubai was unusually quiet as nearly 4,500 Emiratis participated in the funeral prayer.

Later in the evening, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat accompanied by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed arrived in a special aircraft. They are expected to call on Sheikh Mohammad at his palace on Friday and offer their condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.

An official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs described Sheikh Maktoum as one of the eminent leaders of the region whose contribution to the UAE and Dubai in particular has been immense. President APJ Abdul Kalam has also sent a message of condolences to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sharon's Deputy takes over as acting Prime Minister
Sheikh Maktoum laid to rest
LTTE warns of dire consequences
Pilgrims killed in Mecca building collapse
Bird flu claims two lives in Turkey
Clandestine nuclear deals traced to Sudan
Boys home alone, pups get dog-sitter
Prime wonder: 9.1 million digits
U.S. blunder aided Iran's atomic aims, says book
Islamabad keen on Manmohan visit
Musharraf for positive response
Indian killed in Colombo
China sees India as partner, says PLA expert

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu