Sheikh Khalifa tributes reflect 'beloved leader', Sheikh Mohamed says

The President says his predecessor dedicated his life to the happiness and well-being of the UAE and those who call it home

Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of the Rotana Hotel Group, with the late President, Sheikh Khalifa. 'He cared about the well-being of people not only in the UAE, but all over the world,' says Mr Al Nowais. Photo: Nasser Al Nowais

Sheikh Khalifa in Dubai in 1971. Magnum Photos

An undated photo of Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

A young Sheikh Khalifa (seated). Wam

UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his son Sheikh Khalifa watch a military parade in 1978. Photo: Al Ittihad

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed, centre, and Sheikh Khalifa seated to his right. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Khalifa. Photo: Al Ittihad

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

Sheikh Khalifa, left, greets Jordan's King Abdullah in Abu Dhabi on May 16, 2000. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Zayed. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa performs Umrah. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Wam

An image of Sheikh Khalifa is projected on to a building in Abu Dhabi. Antonie Robertson / The National

President, Sheikh Mohamed, left, with Sheikh Khalifa in 2009. Philip Cheung / The National

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

Sheikh Khalifa attends National Day celebrations at Zayed Sports Stadium on December 2, 2011. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court

The UAE football team meet with Sheikh Khalifa on Saturday, January 19, 2012, after their 2-1 victory over Iraq in the Gulf Cup final in Bahrain. Wam

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

Sheikh Khalifa. Wam

Sheikh Khalifa with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, 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

Sheikh Khalifa at Al Bateen Palace, Abu Dhabi. Wam

The outpouring of tributes for Sheikh Khalifa reflects the love and admiration people had for him, the President, Sheikh Mohamed, said on Sunday.

"Across the country, people and communities have been paying their own respects to the late Sheikh Khalifa," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.

"This united display of affection and admiration is a fitting tribute to a beloved leader who dedicated his life to the happiness and well-being of the UAE and those who call it home."

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs shared a video on Twitter to offer condolences to the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nations, and the world on the death of the nation's leader.

It showed the flag at half-staff, funeral prayers held across mosques, churches and temples, and schoolchildren paying respects to the leader.

The video showed Sheikh Mohamed leading senior leaders in prayer at a cemetery in Al Bateen and a military honour guard in dress uniform carrying the former president's body before it is handed to his family for burial.

“We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return,” the video said.

“Sheikh Khalifa came from the core of Sheikh Zayed. He was wise, and loyal to his country and children. The UAE was built with love and what is built with love will live on.”

Since the death of Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohamed has been receiving condolences from world leaders and diplomats.

A host of international leaders, dignitaries and officials have travelled to Abu Dhabi in the past week to pay tribute to the late President, whose death was announced on Friday, May 13.

Many took to Twitter to pay respects to him and diplomats paid visits to UAE embassies around the world to offer condolences.

Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, also received condolences from female members of governments overseas and world leaders’ wives.

On May 19, the UN Security Council held a moment of silence for Sheikh Khalifa.

The UN flag was lowered to half-mast at the UN Headquarters in New York as a mark of respect to the great leader.

Member states, heads of the five regional groups at the UN General Assembly and the US permanent representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke about Sheikh Khalifa's legacy and achievements — and expressed their condolences.