Death of Saqr is a grave ordeal: Sheikh Khalifa

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan considered on Wenesday the death of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, one of the founding fathers of the UAE state, as a grave distress.

"With the passing away of Sheikh Saqr, we lost the founding fathers of our federal state. May the almighty Allah shower his mercy on their souls," the President said in a statement of condolences and sympathy on the demise of Sheikh Saqr.

"On this sad day we remember what the late Sheikh Saqr offered to his homeland as he worked relentlessly with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and fellow Members of the UAE Supreme Council and Rulers of Emirates to serve interests of our dear country and protect the state from any potential threat or risk.

"His vision matched with those of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and those of the Rulers of Emirates for the need of a joint action to achieve local development and confront foreign dangers in the region. Sheikh Saqr was among the first who welcomed the call for establishing a federation of emirates in the region.

"I still remember his persistent effort towards the creation of the federation ........ when he announced the joining of Ras Al Khaimah to the UAE federation after a short time of its birth on December 2, 1971, thus confirming his belief in the union scheme and his determination to work hard with his fellow rulers to turn that dream into a reality.

"Throughout his life, the late Sheikh Saqr dedicated himself to serve his people and work faithfully with fellow rulers to provide the favourable circumstances to consolidate the pillars of the federal state. His wisdom, life-experience and far-sighted vision were spectacular in running the affairs of his emirate and the Council of Trucial  States before the birth of the UAE federation, and his active participation in the administration of the country through the Supreme Council of the Federation.

"Sheikh Saqr's sagacity was evident when he struck harmony among citizens of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and transforming development concepts into tangible reality and his prudent handling of foreign threats.This had far-reaching impact in bolstering the structure of the federal state.

"The progress the UAE is witnessing today, and the bounty, security and stability both Emarati and expatriate residents are enjoying on its land are nothing but a fruit of efforts made by our founding fathers whose memoirs will remain life and their achievements will be eternal and recalled by people of this country generation after generation.

"At this time of great ordeal, I hereby offer my heart-felt condolences and sympathy to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, my fellow Members of the UAE Supreme Council and Rulers of Emirates, Al Qasismi family and the people of the UAE, and I pray the Almighty Allah to grant us all the patience and solace.

"I'm fully confident that Sheikh Saud is the best successor to the best predecessor. The UAE, though, lost a dear but it is getting today a ruler who inherited a lot of the wisdom from his father and learnt in his school, therefore becoming qualified to participate with his fellow Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers to lead the federation march with all efficiency and ability.

"May Allah rest the soul of the deceased of the nation in His heaven".

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