President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In a condolence message, President M Abdul Hamid said Khalifa had played an important role in the development of Bangladesh-United Arab Emirates ties. “Bangladesh lost a tested and true friend.”
The head of the state prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family, reports BSS.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed profound shock and grief to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on the passing away of the president, reports UNB.
“The government and people of Bangladesh join me in conveying our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to Your Highness and through you to the bereaved members of the Royal family and the Emirati brethren at this critical moment of grief and sorrow,” she said in a message of condolence.
Also Read - Bangladesh to observe one-day state mourning on Saturday in memory of UAE President
She reiterated that he was a great statesman, a great ruler of Abu Dhabi, and a visionary leader of the Muslim Ummah.
“His dynamic leadership, sagacity, and dedication to the national development of the United Arab Emirates and the advancement of the Islamic cause are some cases in points that will keep him a memorable personality in history,” she said.
Hasina mentioned that Khalifa was also a great friend and well-wisher of Bangladesh and was particularly a guardian of the Bangladeshi community living in the UAE.
Also Read - UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed dies
The prime minister further said: “We join hands in prayer for his eternal peace that Almighty Allah will grant him the highest place in Jannah. We also pray to Allah for bestowing courage and fortitude to the members of the bereaved Royal Family and the brotherly people of the United Arab Emirates to bear this irreparable loss.”
She also wrote another condolence letter addressed to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE.
In her letter, the premier, on behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh, conveyed her deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies at the passing away of Khalifa.
“Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was a dynamic and visionary statesman of the UAE. He dedicated his whole life to the cause of the socio-economic transformation of the UAE, making it a prosperous and forward-looking nation,” Hasina observed.
