Kuwait mourns: 40-day period for late Emir, 3-day public shutdown

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Dec 2023 17:30

The funeral for the late emir will take place on Sunday and will be exclusively attended by his relatives.

Kuwait's national flag is at half mast after the death of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, in Kuwait, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 (AP)

Kuwait has announced a 40-day mourning period for the late Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as declared by the government on Saturday. The government stated that public institutions will remain closed for three days.

Earlier today, Kuwait's Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, announced the passing of Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad. Emir Nawaf has been on the throne since September 2020 and, at the age of 86, he concluded his reign. His younger brother, 83-year-old Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is set to become the new ruler.

"Mourning for 40 days has been declared for Emir Nawaf al-Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Public institutions will be closed for three days," the government said in a statement on air of the state-run Kuwait Television.

The funeral for the late emir will take place on Sunday and will be exclusively attended by his relatives, state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Hamas has extended its condolences to the late Emir, stating: "While we condole ourselves and the brotherly Kuwaiti people with the death of His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may God have mercy on him, we recall with pride the firm positions of the State of Kuwait and its authentic roles, as Emir, government, parliament and people, in supporting the Palestinian people and in solidarity with them, through charitable and humanitarian projects in the sector."