Sheikh Khalifa laid to rest

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday received at Al Wajba Palace scores of mourners paying tribute to H H Grandfather Emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, who died on Sunday.
The Emir and Father Emir performed the funeral prayers for the late Sheikh Khalifa at Imam Mohammed bin Abdulwahab Mosque in Doha yesterday.
Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, H E Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, H E Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Representative of the Emir; H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani, H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior,
H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani; Speaker of the Advisory Council, H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi, and sons of the Father Emir also took part in the prayer which was performed after Asr prayers.
Many other members of the royal family, ministers, senior state officials, dignitaries and citizens also attended the prayer.
The Emir and Father Emir also received members of the royal family, ministers and citizens, praying for Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the Grandfather Emir and make his residence paradise.
Emir and Father Emir will receive condolences from mourners at Al Wajbah Palace today and tomorrow from 9am until Zuhr (noon) prayer and after Asr prayer until Isha prayers, the Emiri Diwan announced yesterday.
Condolences were pouring in for the ruling family, as Grandfather Emir H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, was laid to rest yesterday.
President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, who was on a visit to Qatar, conveyed a condolence message.
“The people of Pakistan share the grief and stand with our Qatari brothers and sisters in this hour of grief. With the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa, Pakistan has lost a true friend. Pakistan will always remember His Highness with gratitude, for laying the foundation and strengthening Pakistan-Qatar relations. Sheikh Khalifa was a visionary leader, who served the people of Qatar with great sincerity. His contribution to the welfare and development of people of Qatar will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with Your Highnesses, Your family, and we pray, Allah Almighty to give you the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
Emir received telephone calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco and Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco.
President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro expressed his condolences on the death of Grandfather Emir during a phone call.
US Ambassador to Qatar, Dana Shell Smith said in a condolence message, “I was saddened to learn of the passing of the Grandfather Emir H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday. I offer my deep condolences to Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Al Thani family, and the Qatari government and people. May he rest in peace.”