Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah laid to rest

On Sunday, Kuwait bid farewell to its late emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, whose passing occurred just a day prior. Draped in the Kuwaiti flag, the emir’s coffin was respectfully carried into a Kuwait mosque for prayers, followed by a private burial ceremony broadcast on state television.

The intimate farewell, attended by select relatives and members of the ruling family, reflected the late emir’s low-profile character, according to Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University.

The limited attendance marked a stark departure from grandiose ceremonies, creating a poignant moment for the ruler who had held the position for three years.

Sheikh Meshal, the incoming emir expected to deliver his oath before parliament on Wednesday, paid his respects at the service.

The funeral was notably attended by the speaker of Kuwait’s parliament, and the discreet affair stood in contrast to the public condolences Sheikh Meshal will receive from the wider public on Monday and Tuesday.

During the burial ceremony, emotional scenes unfolded as rows of relatives gathered at Sheikh Nawaf’s final resting place, reciting prayers and expressing their grief.

Kuwait City paid tribute to the late ruler with large digital billboards proclaiming him the “emir of wisdom, forgiveness, and peace.”

Flags across the city were lowered to half-mast, initiating a 40-day mourning period during which government offices will remain closed until Tuesday. Speaking outside the mosque where the funeral took place, Kuwaiti citizen Ghanem al-Sulaimani expressed his sadness, describing the late emir as the “emir of humility and forgiveness” who left behind a great legacy.

Born in 1937, Sheikh Nawaf assumed the role of emir in September 2020 following the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Sabah.

His tenure was characterized by a commitment to justice, as evidenced by numerous amnesties for political prisoners, earning him the moniker “emir of pardons.” One of his final acts before his passing was the signing of a draft decree demanding the release of dozens of political prisoners.

The late emir’s journey included pivotal roles as defense minister during the 1990 Iraq invasion and interior minister during Kuwait’s 2005 threat from Islamist militants.

Despite these challenges, Sheikh Nawaf’s understated style endeared him to the people, leaving behind a nation in mourning for the “emir of wisdom, forgiveness, and peace.”