The leader, who guided the UAE through a period of rapid economic growth, has died, prompting a 40-day mourning period.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the long-serving president of the United Arab Emirates, has passed away at the age of 73. The UAE government announced the news through its state-run news agency, marking the end of an era of leadership under a ruler who played a significant role in shaping the nation’s economic development.
Khalifa, who succeeded his father Sheikh Zayed in 2004, was instrumental in overseeing much of the UAE’s rapid growth, with his name immortalized on the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, after his financial support helped Dubai recover from its financial crisis.
In response to his passing, the UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs declared a 40-day mourning period and a three-day work suspension across all ministries and the private sector, beginning on Friday. During this period, flags will be flown at half-staff in his honor.
Although Khalifa had not been actively involved in day-to-day governance for several years following a stroke in 2014, his half-brother, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, had taken on many of his responsibilities, including key foreign policy decisions. It is widely expected that Mohammed bin Zayed will succeed his brother as the president.
Khalifa’s health had kept him out of the public eye for much of the past decade, with rare appearances in official photos in the years following his stroke.
