Late Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf laid to rest in small private funeral
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Emir Sheikh Meshal, the new incoming ruler, is expected to deliver his oath before parliament on Wednesday and will receive condolences from the public in the next two days.
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The coffin of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah is being carried during his funeral at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in Kuwait, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP)
A day after his passing, Kuwait's late Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was laid to rest today Sunday at a private funeral at the Bilal bin Rabah Mosque, with his coffin draped in a Kuwaiti flag and broadcast on state television.
Only members of the ruling family attended the ceremony, while the Speaker of Kuwait's parliament was also present.
Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University, said: "The choice reflects the late emir's low-profile character".
Kuwait shrouded with sadness for Sheikh Nawaf's losshttps://t.co/zlIWe9LvDf#KUNA #KUWAIT pic.twitter.com/mczl1eFzmp
— Kuwait News Agency - English Feed (@kuna_en) December 17, 2023
Kuwaiti citizen Ghanem al-Sulaimani stood outside the mosque and expressed being saddened by the man he called the "emir of humility and forgiveness", adding to AFP, "He left a great legacy... distinguished by his great love for his people".
Emir Sheikh Meshal, the new incoming ruler, is expected to deliver his oath before parliament on Wednesday and will receive condolences from the public in the next two days.
The 'Emir of pardons'
Kuwait City saw digital billboards displaying pictures of the late Emir, naming him the "Emir of wisdom, forgiveness and peace", as he was known for issuing multiple amnesties for political prisoners, giving him the nickname "Emir of pardons".
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.
Emir Nawaf has been on the throne since September 2020 and he concluded his reign at the age of 86. His younger brother, 83-year-old Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, is set to become the new ruler.
Sheikh Nawaf was the fifth son of Kuwait's late ruler Sheikh Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, who ruled from 1921 to 1950. He finished secondary schooling in Kuwait but did not continue to higher education.
The late Emir began his political career at 25 as governor of Hawalli province until 1978, he was then defence minister when Iraq invaded in 1990 and later started his position as interior minister for 10 years in January 2005.
Oil-wealthy Kuwait is one of the world's most powerful sovereign wealth funds and has a low debt level; it also boasts 7% of global crude reserves.
