Egypt’s El Sisi and Al Azhar Mosque pay tribute to Sheikh Khalifa

The country will mark the death of the UAE's Sheikh Khalifa with three days of mourning

Sheikh Khalifa, right, and dignitaries watch a parade on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate Accession Day, on November 28 1971. Photo: Al Ittihad

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher greets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at 10 Downing Street in London, on July 18, 1984. Keystone / Hulton Archive

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Zayed inspects plans for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with his sons Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Sultan. Photo: Al Ittihad

French President Jacques Chirac speaks to Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at the end of his visit to the UAE on December 16, 1997. Reuters

US President Bill Clinton meets Sheikh Khalifa, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in the Oval Office of the White House on May 12, 1998. Reuters

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to President Sheikh Khalifa, on the sidelines Sheikh Zayed's funeral in Abu Dhabi on November 3, 2004. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa stands for a photo with the UAE national football team at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi on January 31, 2007, after the team beat Oman to win the Gulf Cup for the first time. AFP

President Sheikh Khalifa watches the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 1, 2009, with Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakstan, and Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ryan Carter / The National

President Sheikh Khalifa greets Oman's leader, Sultan Qaboos, at Al Ain airport on July 11, 2011. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa leaves Al Ain on December 30, 2012, for a private visit to Pakistan. Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, presents the first copy of his new book 'Flashes of Thought' to President Sheikh Khalifa in 2013. Wam

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Khalifa at Windsor Castle in southern England on April 30, 2013. Reuters

President Sheikh Khalifa meets family members at his home in Evian, France, in 2014. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, at the Presidential Palace in Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, on May 8, 2019. Also present is Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman. Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa performing Umrah. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

President Sheikh Khalifa receives Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Wam

Egypt has announced a three-day period of mourning in remembrance of President Sheikh Khalifa, who died on Friday, as President Abdel Fattah El Sisi offered his condolences.

The announcement of the mourning period was made by the Egyptian presidency, which earlier on Friday said the passing of the UAE leader constituted the loss of one of the Arab world’s great symbols.

Sheikh Khalifa, said the statement, was a “wise leader who devoted his life to the service of his country and who extended the Emirates’ white hands to build and support the Arab and Muslim nations.”

Over the years, Egypt has been the recipient of billions of dollars worth of UAE aid and investments.

The latest batch of UAE support to Egypt was pledged last month to help the most populous Arab nation weather the devastating fallout from the Ukraine war on its economy.

Besides the economy, the two countries are also bound by close military ties, with forces from the two allied nations regularly holding joint war games.

Separately, Mr El Sisi offered his condolences on the loss of “one of the most precious men and glorious leaders”.

Writing on his Facebook page, the Egyptian leader said Sheikh Khalifa “has given his country so much that the Emirates has become a model of progress and modernity in the region”.

Al Azhar Mosque and University, the Sunni world’s foremost seat of Islamic learning, in Cairo, offered its condolences on the passing of Sheikh Khalifa, saying he led a life of achievements.

In a statement, Al Azhar quoted Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb as saying the late UAE President was an “icon of labour and dedication for the prosperity of his country and who never spared an effort to serve the causes of the Arab and Muslim worlds”.

“His journey was filled with achievements and successes that turned his country into an example to follow in management, innovation and prosperity”.

Egypt's Mufti Shawqi Allam praised Sheikh Khalifa's "efforts at the regional and international levels, in addition to his contribution to the progress and development of his country", in a message of condolence to the UAE leadership, government and people, state news agency Wam reported.

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, to which the majority of Egypt’s estimated 10 million Christians belong, offered its condolences on the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

“We will always remember the Emirates’ historic positions in constant support of Egypt, especially during difficult times … We will always remember with appreciation his highness’s continuous support for the presence and activity of the Coptic church in the Emirates,’ it said on its Facebook page.

Evening prayers in the UAE following the death of Sheikh Khalifa — in pictures