Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and Islamic Minister Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has departed to Saudi Arabia to offer the condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman at the death of King Abdulla.
King Abdullah was buried at the Al-Oud Cemetery in Riyadh on Friday. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh led the prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, which was attended by Crown Prince Muqrin, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, members of the royal family, and foreign and local dignitaries.
Arabnews reported that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah died on Friday following a short illness. Crown Prince Salman has been named the new king with Prince Muqrin crown prince, according to a Royal Court statement.
King Abdullah was hospitalized in December suffering from pneumonia and had been breathing with the aid of a respirator.
King Salman said King Abdullah died at 1 a.m. on Friday. “With deep sorrow we announce the death of King Abdullah,” said the new king in the statement issued by the Royal Court, adding that the funeral prayers would take place after Asr prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh on Friday.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom also conveyed his condolences to the newly appointed Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The President declared that the Maldivian flag should be flown half-mast during the three days mourning.
Funeral prayer was also held at all of the mosques of Maldives after Isha on Friday night.