Saudi Arabia mourns death of Crown Prince Naif

Jeddah - 17 June, 2012 (IINA): The funeral prayers for the Saudi Crown Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz will be held at the Haram Mosque in Makkah following the Maghreb prayer today. The body will then be buried at the graveyard in the holy city. Muslim leaders from across the world started arriving in Jeddah on their way to Makkah to attend the funeral. Hundreds of thousands of people, including citizens and foreigners as well as Umrah pilgrims from all over the world will attend the Janaza prayers. Prince Naif died on Saturday inGeneva,Switzerland. His body was flown to Jeddah today.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz arrived in Makkah yesterday evening. Many Saudi leaders, including Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and other royal family members, ministers, high ranking civilian and security officials also arrived in Makkah.

Riyadh Governor Prince Sattam, Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Baha Governor Prince Mishari bin Saud, Jazan Governor Prince Muhammad binNasserand other regional governors expressed their deep sorrow over Crown Prince Naif's death. In a statement to Saudi Press Agency, Prince Sattam said thatSaudi Arabiaand the Muslim world have lost a statesman who had several contributions at local and international arenas.

Prince Khaled described Prince Naif's death as a big loss for the Arab and Islamic Ummah. "We condole King Abdullah and the ruling royal family, the Saudi people and we pray that Allah show mercy to Naif, enter him in His Paradise and include him among the martyrs," the Makkah governor said and commended Crown Prince Naif's great qualities as a responsible administrator. "I bear witness that you have been a person of great morals and a sincere government official," Prince Khaled said about the late crown prince.

Prince Mishari bin Saud commended Crown Prince Naif's efforts for the success of Islamic causes. "He backed the oppressed and stood firmly against aggressors." The governor also noted Crown Prince Naif's security achievements. "Thanks to his work Saudi Arabia became an oasis of security and stability."

Prince Mishari said he had held Prince Naif in high esteem and admiration considering his wonderful personality. He did not show any leniency in matters concerning the nation and citizens. "Ever since he was a young person, Crown Prince Naif rejected aggression on the rights of any citizen. He dedicated his life to ensuring Saudis lived in peace and security," the Baha governor said in his obituary.

Health Minister Abdullah Al-Rabeeah described Prince Naif as a unique personality and one of the great men of Saudi Arabia. "He will be remembered in history and his national and international achievements written in golden letters. He loved goodness and supported the needy and the poor," the minister said.

Justice Minister Muhammad Al-Eissa commended Prince Naif's efforts to bring security closer to the Saudi society. Crown Prince Naif had instituted an international prize to promote research in Hadith (the Tradition of the Prophet). Al-Eissa noted the late prince's support for judiciary and its independence.

The 150-member Shoura Council also expressed its deep sorrow over the crown prince's death. "It's a big loss for Saudis, Arabs and Muslims. He was a good example for a successful statesman and a security man. He was a strong fortress for the nation and lived close to the hearts of citizens."

The Shoura highlighted Naif's contributions in administrative, security, educational and cultural fields. It also praised his prudent views and political wisdom. The consultative body underscored Crown Prince Naif's achievements in defeating terrorists and extremists in the country by launching a massive campaign against them and conducting pre-emptive strikes.

Saudi academic scholars and government officials remembered Crown Prince Naif as a tough security leader, humanitarian and a religious man who had a soft corner for the poor. He spent his whole life dedicated to serving his country, said Saleh Al-Namalah, a member of the foreign affairs committee at the Shoura Council. Al-Namalah said Crown Prince Naif would be remembered first as a security man.

Sultan Al-Angari, a writer and a researcher in the field of security, said the crown prince's efforts to establish security made Saudi Arabia virtually a drug-free country. He spared no effort in combating drugs by establishing the General Department for Narcotics Control within the Ministry of Interior.
Al-Angari recalled that the crown prince spent long hours in his office. "I remember having a meeting with him once at the Ministry from 3 to 4 in the morning," he said. "He left his office only to pray Fajr and he was always the last to leave."

The crown prince worked to build a strong internal security force and equipped it with state-of-the-art technology as well as an international standard of training, he said. From the Ministry of Interior many ministries were born under Prince Naif's supervision. The crown prince often met the public and tribal leaders in a regular gathering. He never declined a wedding invitation.

Sami Badawood, director general of the Jeddah Directorate of Health Affairs, said he received the news of the crown prince's death during a meeting at the directorate in Jeddah and that neither him nor his colleagues could finish the meeting. "We were shocked and lost our concentration. In fact, we had to call the meeting off," Badawood said. He d remembered Prince Naif as the head of the Haj committee at the Ministry of Interior. He said the crown prince cared deeply for the safety of pilgrims.

Abdullah Al-Hussain, president ofDarAl-OloomUniversity, said the crown prince loved science and was a religious man keen to serve Islam and empower the Ulema, the highest religious scholars. He said the crown prince opened his door wide for scientists. Al-Hussain said the crown prince never turned away a scholar or student seeking knowledge, even if that meant sponsoring them during their years of studies. "The crown prince sponsored many Saudi and non-Saudi students to pursue their education inside and outside the Kingdom," Al-Hussain said. "Muslims worldwide have lost a security and religious leader," Al-Hussain added.

source: IINA