Mourners pay their respects to Sharjah Ruler’s sister Sheikha Alia

SHARJAH // Hundreds of mourners filed into King Faisal Mosque in Sharjah on Monday to pay their last respects to Sheikha Alia bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Sheikha Alia, sister of the Ruler of Sharjah, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and mother of the Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Abdullah bin Salim Al Qasimi, was laid to rest in the Royal Family’s plot at Al Jubail cemetery.

The funeral ceremony was held after the call to asr prayers. The mosque’s imam described to mourners how funeral prayers should be performed in accordance with Islam.

“A funeral prayer is a four takbira salute prayer,” he said. “After the first salute read Sulat al Fatiha, in the next salute pray for the beloved prophet, in the third salute pray for our mother the deceased and in the fourth salute pray for yourself and end the prayer.”

Members of the Qasimi family carried Sheikha Alia’s body in a jannazat coffin on their shoulders out of the mosque to a waiting ambulance for the journey to Al Jubail cemetery for burial.

Sheikh Abdullah and some of his brothers stayed in the mosque for a few minutes to receive mourners. One by one people filed past Sheikh Abdullah to shake his hand and kiss his forehead.

“We all share the pain of our beloved Ruler and the Deputy Ruler for losing his mother,” said Ahmed Al Jassim, an Emirati who came to King Faisal Mosque to offer prayers and mourn Sheikha Alia.

“As in our culture we don’t often know the mothers and sisters of other people, but we come to know them from their good sons.”

Mr Al Jassim said it was evident that Sheikha Alia had left to the world a very good son who would continue her memory with his good deeds.

Sheikh Abdullah will receive condolences in Al Badea palace for three days. Women are able to offer condolences at the majlis of Sheikh Faisal bin Khalid Al Qasimi in Al Ramla.

The official mourning period will last for one week, during which flags will be at half mast across the emirate.

The President, Sheikh Khalifa, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, sent messages of condolence to the Ruler of Sharjah and the Al Qasimi family.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent his condolences to Sheikh Sultan and Sheikh Abdullah.

Messages were also sent by the rulers of the emirates and their families, and by leaders from across the GCC.

ykakande@thenational.ae