
State Leader Expresses Condolences on the Passing of Emirati Advocate's Mother
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Offers Personal Condolences in Al Ain
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally attended a mourning council in Al Ain to offer condolences for the death of the mother of Dhaib Ali Ghanem Dhahi Al Ketbi, demonstrating the Emirates' deeply rooted tradition of leadership accessibility and community solidarity that distinguishes the nation's governance approach in the Gulf region.
High-Level Attendance Reflects Cultural Values
During his visit to the mourning council, Sheikh Mohamed expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the deceased's family, praying for God's mercy and peace for the departed and patience for the bereaved family members.
The condolence visit was also attended by several high-ranking officials, including Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President, and numerous other sheikhs and senior officials.
Tradition of Personal Leadership Engagement
This personal attendance by the UAE's highest leadership at community mourning events reflects a distinctive aspect of Emirati governance culture. Unlike many global leaders who typically send representatives for such occasions, the UAE's ruling family maintains direct personal engagement with citizens during significant life events.
Cultural Significance in Modern Governance
The practice of senior leadership personally attending mourning councils serves multiple functions in UAE society. It reinforces traditional Bedouin values of community solidarity while demonstrating that rapid modernization has not displaced fundamental cultural practices. This approach has been instrumental in maintaining social cohesion during the Emirates' transformation from a collection of fishing and trading communities to a major global economic hub.
Such personal engagement by leadership also strengthens the social contract between rulers and citizens, a model that has contributed to the UAE's political stability compared to regional neighbors that have experienced greater social upheaval in recent decades.
Al Ain's Special Position
The location of this condolence visit in Al Ain holds particular significance, as it represents the historical heartland of the Al Nahyan family and serves as a bridge between the UAE's Bedouin heritage and its modern identity. Al Ain, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains a symbol of traditional Emirati culture while the coastal cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become global metropolitan centers.