Kuwait : Funeral processions for Kuwait’s Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who died on Saturday at the age of 86, have begun in the capital, with only relatives in attendance, Kuwait’s state news agency said.
The funeral prayers took take place at the Bilal bin Rabah mosque at 9am local time.
“You have built a house of God, and made sure to perform your prayers on time in it … our beloved Emir,”.
Shrouded in Kuwait’s flag, the Emir’s body arrived at 8.55am in a hearse belonging to the Amiri Diwan. He was carried into the mosque in a ceremony attended by members of the military, Amiri Diwan and relatives.
“Oh Allah has been kind to us so be kind to him,” a newscaster on Kuwait TV said.
“You have ruled and you have been fair.”
Kuwait’s new Emir and former Crown Prince Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah stood behind the imam leading prayers.
The Emir’s body was laid to rest at the Sulaibikhat Cemetery where servicemen and high ranking officials and cemetery workers helped bury the late ruler.
“Goodbye Nawaf Al Ahmad, my God have mercy on you,” the newscaster said.
“Goodbye my leader.”
Kuwait announced a 40-day mourning period.
Absentee prayers will be held across Kuwait’s mosques at noon prayers, Kuwait’s Ministry of Endowments announced.
Condolences poured in from around the world following news of the Emir’s death.
He was admitted to hospital last month for an emergency and had been in poor health.
The UAE and Oman announced a three-day mourning period. Saudi Arabia was among the first to issue condolences and will also be holding absentee funeral prayers in the Grand mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s mosque in Al Madinah.
The UAE will hold similar prayers across all mosques in the country at noon.
