Founder of UAE’s state news agency WAM, Ibrahim Al Abed, dies

Ibrahim Al Abed, founder of UAE’s influential state news agency WAM, died on Tuesday morning.

Al Abed, 78, was a prominent figure among the country’s media industry.

The UAE’s Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoled his death.

“In hearts that believe in God’s judgment and destiny, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs mourns the late Ibrahim Al Abed, who passed away today,” the ministry said in a statement.

تعازينا لقطاعنا الإعلامي في دولة الإمارات بوفاة أحد مؤسسيه إبراهيم العابد رحمه الله … خمسة عقود قضاها إبراهيم يعمل بلا كلل حتى آخر يوم … تعازينا لأهله وأحبابه وأصدقائه ولكافة الإعلاميين في دولة الإمارات .. pic.twitter.com/yIpydkbAAI

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 20, 2020

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also took to Twitter to express his condolences.

“Our condolences to our media sector in the UAE on the death of one of its founders, Ibrahim Al-Abed. May God have mercy on him,” tweeted Sheikh Mohammed.

“Ibrahim spent five decades working tirelessly until the last day. Our condolences to his family, loved ones and friends and to all media professionals in the UAE,” added Sheikh Mohammed while sharing an image of himself handing an award to Ibrahim, as well as a separate image of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also handing over an award to Ibrahim.