UAE mourns passing of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourned the passing on Wednesday of his uncle, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who played a pivotal role in the country's formation.

“With hearts faithful to God's decree and destiny, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns his uncle, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Ruler's Representative in the Al Ain Region, who passed away today,” Emirates News Agency reported, citing a statement from the Presidential Court.

The Court declared seven days of official mourning with flags flown at half-mast starting from Wednesday, the news agency added.

According to the Ruler's Representative Court in the Al Ain region, Sheikh Tahnoon was “one of the few people who, from an early age, had the honor of accompanying” the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where he “gained a lot of practical experience and knowledge” from him.

Sheikh Tahnoun was among those who worked with Sheikh Zayed on “the great Union project” that succeeded on Dec. 2, 1971 with the declaration of the State of the Union.

He held the position of the Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture and was also appointed as the Ruler's Representative in the Al Ain Region on Aug. 9, 1971, according to the Court.