Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, offered condolences on the passing of Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili on Saturday at Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi — honouring a man whose decades of loyal service to the UAE Founding Father made him a cherished figure in the nation's history.
Senior UAE Leadership Gathers at Al Mushrif Palace
Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanied by several Sheikhs, officials and citizens, also offered condolences at the palace.
Among the senior leaders present were His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; and Lt. General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
A Life Dedicated to the UAE
Lt. General Hamad bin Suhail Al Khaili was born in the 1920s in Al Ain and served as a civilian companion to the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed from 1959 to 1971. After the establishment of the UAE in 1971, he continued as Sheikh Zayed's military escort for over three decades, remaining at his side until Sheikh Zayed's passing in 2004.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication, Al Khaili received the Abu Dhabi Award for UAE Pioneers in 2005.
Prayers for Mercy and Comfort
Those in attendance beseeched Almighty God to grant the deceased His vast mercy, to forgive him and admit him to eternal paradise, and to grant his family patience and solace in their time of grief.
