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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed: UAE ‘lost its righteous son’ following Sheikh Khalifa death

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the United Arab Emirates has lost “its righteous son” following the passing of the country’s President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Khalifa, who served as the president of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi since November 3, 2004, died at the age of 73, Emirates News Agency WAM reported on Friday.

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“The Emirates lost its righteous son, the leader of the ‘empowerment stage’ and the trustee of its blessed journey… His stances, achievements, wisdom, giving and initiatives in every corner of the country,” Sheikh Mohammed said in a tweet.

“May God have mercy on you with his vast mercy and enter you into his paradise.”

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs also gave a brief statement, saying the UAE people, Arab and Islamic nations and the world is mourning the death of the president who “who moved next to his Lord satisfactorily on Friday, May 13th…wishing Allah Almighty to grant him eternal peace and the UAE people patience and solace.”

Global tributes

Tributes from world leaders and heads of state also poured in on Friday, with Sheikh Khalifa described as a dedicated leader whose legacy would live on.

Omani president Sultan Haitham bin Tarik issued royal orders declaring official mourning and flags at half-mast for three days following the death of Sheikh Khalifa.

A statement read: “With great emotion and grief, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Mu’azzam received the news of the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the sisterly Arab State of the United Arab Emirates, who was one of the sisterly Arab leaders of the United Arab Emirates.

“Those who worked to serve their Arab and Islamic nation and led the sisterly United Arab Emirates with determination and perseverance until it became a landmark referred to in all fields.

“The Sultanate shares the grief of the leadership, government and people of the brotherly United Arab Emirates in their great affliction… We belong to God and to Him we shall return.”

Bahrain also ordered three days of mourning, according to a public statement.

It read: “At an order by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Royal Court has mourned late His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.

“The Royal Court paid homage to the late UAE President who passed away after a life rich in achievements to serve the UAE people as well as the Arab and Islamic nations. It extended most sincere condolences to the Al Nahyan family and the UAE people, praying to Allah the Almighty to bless the deceased with mercy and rest his soul in vast paradise.”

Kuwait’s leadership also offered similar condolences and ordered a three-day mourning period.

Biden: 'He was a true partner of the US'

In a statement, US President Joe Biden said: “Jill and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa was a true partner and friend of the United States throughout his decades-long tenure as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and in his earlier role as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. On behalf of the American people, I offer my condolences to Sheikh Khalifa’s family and all Emiratis as they mourn this great loss. We will honour his memory by continuing to strengthen the longstanding ties between the governments and people of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.”

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also shared a statement on Twitter reading: “On my behalf and that of the Government and citizens of Israel, I express condolences to my friend Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Gov. & people of the UAE on the passing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa's great legacy and deeds were appreciated by many in Israel. The State of Israel stands alongside the UAE and its people at this difficult time.”

India’s PM Narendra Modi also shared his condolences, saying in a statement: “I am deeply saddened to know about the passing away of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. He was a great statesman and visionary leader under whom India-UAE relations prospered. The heartfelt condolences of the people of India are with the people of UAE. May his soul rest in peace.”

Pakistan President Nawaz Sharif said this his country had lost a “true friend.”

“I express deep sorrow and grief over the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. My heartfelt condolences to the government and the people of the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan has lost a true friend. May Allah rest his soul in peace.”

Newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sherif echoed the President's thoughts.

Across the UAE, residents took to social media to speak off the loss of their much-loved President.

Khalifa al-Gaz, wrote on Twitter: “A sorrowful day for all Emiratis.”

Born in 1948, Sheikh Khalifa was the second president of the UAE and the 16th Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

He was the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed.

Since becoming the president of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa has presided over a major restructuring of both the federal government and the government of Abu Dhabi.

Some of Sheikh Khalifa’s most notable roles were his chairmanships of Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council, founded in 1988, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which he was instrumental in creating in 1976.

His key objectives as the president of the UAE were to continue on the path laid down by his father Sheikh Zayed, whose legacy, he said, “will continue to be the beacon guiding us into the future, a prosperous future where security and stability will reign.”

Sheikh Khalifa steered the development of the oil and gas sector and the downstream industries that have contributed successfully to the country’s economic diversification.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs declared official national mourning for the death of the president for 40 days from Friday.

Work in both public and private sectors will be suspended for three days, the Dubai Media Office clarified.

Read more:

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed dies at age 73

Funeral prayer for late UAE President Sheikh Khalifa to be held after Maghrib Friday

From childhood in Al Ain to revered leader: Sheikh Khalifa’s path to UAE presidency

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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