Kuwait bid farewell today, Sunday, to its late Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who passed away yesterday. His body was laid to rest after a career spanning six decades in public service, primarily focusing on domestic issues. The new Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (83 years old), performed the funeral prayer for the deceased at Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in the Siddiq area, attended by Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister and son of the late emir, alongside the Speaker of the National Assembly Ahmad Al-Saadoun, former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, a gathering of citizens, and members of the ruling family. The new Emir was seen shedding tears during the prayer.
The Emir had been hospitalized at the end of November due to what the official news agency described at the time as an emergency health issue. Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (83 years old) was announced as the successor, having effectively ruled Kuwait since 2021 when the Emir assigned him most of his duties. According to the Kuwaiti constitution, the Crown Prince automatically becomes Emir, but takes power only after taking an oath in Parliament. The Emir has one year to choose a new Crown Prince; however, typically, the ruling family plays a role in this choice, which is usually agreed upon and must be approved by the National Assembly (Parliament).
Dr. Abdullah Al-Mulla, a university professor (56 years old), referred to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad as "our great father," stating that he was "the Emir of forgiveness, mercy, and equality. The Kuwaiti people will remember Sheikh Nawaf for his humility, mercy, and closeness to the people. He created no barriers between himself and anyone; everyone was equal in his eyes." Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad ruled for just over three years during which he faced numerous health challenges, a relatively short period compared to his predecessor Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who ruled for about 14 years.
In late 2021, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad delegated most of his powers to his successor Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who has since become the effective ruler of the country. During the late emir's reign, Kuwait, which possesses the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves, maintained close relations with the United States, its main ally, and balanced its relationships with neighboring countries, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. The new emir is expected to continue this foreign policy approach, including promoting Gulf unity, maintaining Western alliances, and fostering good relations with Riyadh, which is anticipated to be a priority.
During the funeral proceedings, the deceased was transported wrapped in the Kuwaiti flag in a special ceremony broadcast live on Kuwait TV to the Sabaih cemetery for burial. Along the Fifth Ring Road, next to Bayan Palace, one of the ruling palaces in Kuwait, a large banner read, "May God magnify your reward, O people of Kuwait," accompanied by a large image of the late emir. The Ministry of Interior closed the road taken by the funeral in both directions, with heightened security along the Fifth Ring Road, and in the Siddiq area beside Al-Yamamah Palace, Sheikh Nawaf's residence, and Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque.
The Cabinet announced yesterday a formal mourning period of 40 days and the closure of governmental departments for three days, ending Tuesday evening. Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad took power in 2020 at the age of 83, making him the oldest emir to rule the country. He passed away at the age of 86, having held several positions throughout his life, including Minister of Interior, Defense, and Social Affairs.
The late Emir was viewed as a mediator between the government and parliament, which often struggle to agree in a country where conflicts between the executive and legislative branches dominate the political scene. He also granted clemency to many citizens and opposition members accused in politically-related cases or those convicted of crimes related to publicly criticizing senior officials or some countries.
Expressions of condolence have been extended from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, and Russia. The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait announced today that President Joe Biden would send Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to offer condolences. Deputy Falah Al-Hajri shared in a video broadcast on X, "Today, sorrow blankets the skies of Kuwait. Our consolation is that the beginning of the rule was forgiveness, and its end was forgiveness.” Dr. Badr Al-Mulla, former Minister of Oil and current member of Parliament, said, "May God have mercy on him for he loved everyone without exception, and everyone loved him back without exception. May God have mercy on him who forgave when able, who gathered the scattered, and united relatives. Our condolences to his allies and to Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and the esteemed Al-Sabah family."
Leaders and senior officials from around the world are set to arrive in Kuwait to offer condolences, including Jordanian King Abdullah and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived in Kuwait in the afternoon. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is also scheduled to attend to offer condolences on behalf of his country’s President Ebrahim Raisi. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated he would emphasize the importance of developing bilateral relations in meetings with senior Kuwaiti officials. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his best wishes for the new Emir’s success on X, saying, "I wish my brother Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah success in leading the sisterly State of Kuwait toward further achievements in various fields. We will continue to work together to enhance our brotherly relations for the benefit of our peoples and to advance the course of joint Gulf action for the good of the region’s people."
