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Three-day mourning declared

DUBAI/ABU DHABI — Government departments across the country are on a three-day mourning following the tragic demise of Shaikh Nasser bin Zayed Al Nahyan, when the helicopter carrying him and his colleagues crashed into the Arabian Gulf on Monday night.

Several events and all entertainment in hotels have been cancelled or rescheduled in light of the three-day official mourning from June 3 to June 5.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs yesterday announced an official mourning of three days. However, the offices of the ministries and local government departments in the country would function normally during the mourning period. The Ministry of Labour (MoL) also will not close its counters or offices country-wide, according to the media office.

Media offices at the Ministries of Education and Health have affirmed that work would continue as usual during the next three days. An official from the Ministry of Education told Khaleej Times that public and private schools, educational zones and the ministry's offices will not stop working. Colleges too will remain open.

Several events, including the launch of the Hamdan bin Mohammed Program for Sports Leadership Development, scheduled to be held today at the InterContinental Dubai Festival, have been postponed to a later date. The inauguration of the Sharjah Islamic Civilisation Museum, slated to take place yesterday was postponed to Friday.

All events, functions, celebrations and nights of arts and music scheduled in Abu Dhabi since yesterday till June 5, have been cancelled and postponed to other dates.

Dubai and Sharjah tourism authorities also confirmed that all hotel entertainment activities would remain suspended during the mourning period.

Cancelled events in the capital include the launch of Abu Dhabi Sports Council's five-year strategic plan at Emirates Hotel Palace, Azerbaijan National Day celebration at Inter-Continental Hotel; reception to bid farewell to the outgoing French Ambassador at Beach Rotana Hotel has been rescheduled for June 9; celebration of authentic music, dance and culture to mark the conclusion of Treasures from Sudan exhibition at the Cultural Foundation, and a visit by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs and the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, to the newly established commercial court.

The other events that were cancelled yesterday included the Federal National Council's session, Press briefing by the British Ambassador and a visiting UK official on UK visa application and procedures, celebration of style and fine craftsmanship at Tanagra's jewellery and accessories show at Marina Mall, and celebration of the National Day of Sweden at Hilton Hotel.

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