UAE leaders mourn passing of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed

Image credit: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed/ X

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is mourning the passing away of Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, who died on Wednesday.

The Presidential Court issued the following obituary:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful…With hearts faithful to God’s decree and destiny, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns his uncle, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, who passed away today.”

The Presidential Court declared official mourning with flags flown at half-mast for a period of seven days starting Wednesday, corresponding to May 1, 2024.

May God shower the deceased with His vast mercy and dwell him in paradise, and grant the Al Nahyan family patience and solace.”

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed’s lifetime

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed was previously deputy chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and deputy chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council.

The road from Al Ain to Dubai was named in his honour in November 2018, after major renovation work improved the city’s connection to Dubai and Sharjah.

He was a close companion of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and he gained valuable experience and knowledge from the Founding Father.

As well as brother-in-law through the marriage of his sister Sheikha Hessa, Tahnoon bin Mohammed was a close adviser to Sheikh Zayed when he was Ruler of Abu Dhabi and then President of the UAE from December 1971.

حط اليوم رفيق زايد الشيخ طحنون بن محمد آل نهيان رحاله عند أرحم الراحمين ..
تعازينا لرئيس الدولة ولعموم آل نهيان ولشعب الإمارات الكريم ..
عزاؤنا في إنجازاته .. وفي سنوات عطائه .. وفي أبنائه الذين يقدمون الغالي والنفيس لهذا الوطن ..
رحمه الله وأسكنه فسيح جناته .. وألهمنا جميعاً… pic.twitter.com/BLLGlf0ebQ

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) May 1, 2024

Until his death, at the age of 82, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed was the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region at Al Ain, a position held by Sheikh Zayed until 1966.

“Today, Zayed’s companion Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan arrived at the Most Merciful. Our condolences to the President, the entire Al Nahyan family, and the honourable people of the Emirates,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai wrote in a social media post on X.

“Our condolences are in his achievements, and in his years of giving, and in his children who give what is dear and precious to this country,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said.

Read: UAE President’s brother Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed passes away