It was with profound grief and sadness that the world heard about the sad demise of a great leader, visionary, seasoned diplomat and above all a rare beacon of peace and harmony, Kuwait’s Amir H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, yesterday.
On hearing the news, Qatar’s Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, mourned the departed Kuwaiti Amir with great sorrow and sadness, saying Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah was a great leader characterised by wisdom, moderation and long-term vision. H H the Amir added that the late Amir dedicated his life to serve his country and ummah, called for dialogue, solidarity and unity among Arab countries to defend their just causes.
H H the Amir ordered the announcement of three days of mourning in Qatar and ordered the flags lowered to half-mast. The doyen of Arab diplomacy, Sheikh Sabah was born on June 16, 1929, had served as the Foreign Minister of Kuwait for 40 long years and as Amir for 14 years. A dedicated leader, he helped steer his country through invasion, the crash of the global oil market.
He will be remembered throughout the world, especially in Arab world as true advocate of peace, a dedicated and seasoned mediator with unflinching support for justice and independence and sovereignty of fellow countries. The Arab world can never forget the tireless efforts exerted by the late Amir in face of the Gulf crisis, a cause which he fought for till his last breath.
The unjust blockade imposed on Qatar by some neighbouring countries and Egypt in 2017 saddened the late Amir, who positioned himself as a mediator and tried his level best to bring peace and unity to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Sheikh Sabah always vouched for dialogue and unity among Arab states and strongly rejected violence and extremism.
The world is indebted to him for his role in mediating between Iran and GCC and restoring ties with Iraq. President Donald Trump earlier this month awarded the US Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to Sheikh Sabah in what the White House said was the first time the honour has been given since 1991.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the Amir as “an extraordinary symbol of wisdom and generosity, a messenger of peace, a bridge builder”.
The true, dedicated leaders will live even after their deaths in the minds of people not only in their own countries but in other states also, because of their sincere, selfless efforts to bring and maintain peace and stability wherever possible. Diplomacy is not just a skill, but an art too through which the world can avoid catastrophes and escalation of violence. Whoever has mastered this art and practised it with selflessness will be remembered for ever.
