Yesterday, a sadaqat was given in the Goktepe mosque with the participation of Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh, Honored Elder of Turkmenistan, Hajji Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to commemorate deceased President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In the early morning, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh of the country, Honored Elder of Turkmenistan, Hajji Arkadag arrived at the mosque located in Koshi.

The Hajji Arkadag pointed out with satisfaction that respected elders and religious figures of the country do a great job to educate the young generation in the spirit of patriotism and promote centuries-old national traditions. The Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan asked about work to build a mosque in each etrap in the velayats.

Then the surahs from the holy Quran were read and the prayers were offered that the soul of the diseased President of the UAE rests in peace in paradise.

Following the prayers offered, the Hajji Arkadag emphasized that the efforts to enrich the noble traditions in line with the spirit of the times, teach the rising generation in Turkmenistan to be faithful to precepts of their glorious ancestors, have to be made in a consistent manner. All this is of great importance in enriching and honoring national traditions, the comprehensive and harmonious development of the young generation.

Then the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh, requesting that all the ayahs and prayers said are accepted by the Almighty, left the venue.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh, Hajji Arkadag arrived at the Gokdepe mosque and in the conversation with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Arab Emirates to Turkmenistan said that he took part in funeral repasts in memory of President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and got consent to hold the commemoration day of the deceased in our country. In this regard, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized, commemoration events are held and sadaqat are given today.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude for the attitude to the memory of the late President of the UAE, the diplomat emphasized that this decision is a symbol of high humaneness.

Then the Mufti of Turkmenistan said the prayer in memory of the OAE President requesting the Almighty to accept the ayahs and prayers offered, and the sadaqat given, and for the deceased to rest in peace in paradise.

Prior to the sadaqat, the Arkadag addressed the audience, said that the news of the untimely death of President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was perceived with a sense of sorrow, and the Turkmen delegation took part in the funeral rites on the instructions of the head of state. On behalf of the President of the country and the Turkmen people, condolences and words of support were expressed to the leadership of the United Arab Emirates.

The departure of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a big loss both for the UAE people and for the entire world community. During his meaningful life, he devoted much time to charity and humanitarian activities, leaving an unfading mark in the Islamic world, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh highlighted.

We also recall with deep satisfaction that our brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan did for our independent Homeland, as well as his assistance and support, Hajji Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

The late President of the United Arab Emirates performed great services in the construction of the mosque, the “Döwletller Köşgi” Palace, the “Ene Mähri” Center in our capital city, the International Center for Internal Diseases and the Children’s Hospital in the Mary Velayat, as well as in the modernization of the “Archman” Sanatorium and the International Airport of Mary city. He also regularly provided charitable support to the “Döwletller Köşgi” Palace. All this work, which our people will always remember with gratitude, is a visible symbol of cooperation, based on goodwill, friendship and brotherhood.

During the visit, the Arkadag continued, we informed about the intention to hold with the due consent the commemoration day of my brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in our country. And today, following the hallowed traditions of the Turkmen people, sadaqat are given in memory of the deceased President of the United Arab Emirates in the mosque in Gokdepe, the mosque in Koshi and at the “Döwletller Köşgi” Palace.

For the whole world, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was an example of a farsighted and wise ruler. He made a significant contribution to the flourishing of the United Arab Emirates. His great undertakings for maintaining the regional and global peace are worth mentioning.

The late President of the UAE showed special zeal in the development of constructive and mutually beneficial relations with the countries around the world, including Turkmenistan. The United Arab Emirates is a reliable partner and a sincere friend of our country, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh said, emphasizing that, carrying on the established noble traditions, interstate relations will continue to develop and strengthen steadily.

During the trip, we also visited one of the magnificent mosques of the world, the Mosque of Sheikh Zayed, the tomb of founder of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, offered the “ayah-tovir” prayer in memory of the diseased, the Hajji Arkadag said, noting that the Holy Books were handed over to the Turkmen delegation, which contain extensive information about this mosque and other similar shrines around the world.

Of course, a person’s life span is measured by the years lived, and its content by the deeds accomplished. Those who have performed the great deeds remain imbedded forever in people’s memory, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, expressing confidence that the good and kind undertakings of diseased President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be never forgotten, and the bright memory of him will be enshrined in the hearts of the present and future generations.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Milli Gengesh then addressed the Mufti of Turkmenistan with a request to say the prayer. The Mufti of the country offered the “tebarek” prayer, following which a funeral repast took place.

At the end of the repast, the “ayah-tovir” prayer was said.

Concluding the sadaqat Hajji Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed its participants and all compatriots wishing:

- May the Almighty accept the ayahs and prayers offered today! May the deceased rest in peace in paradise!

- May Almighty Allah grant the people of the United Arab Emirates fortitude and endurance at this difficult moment!

- May the earth be soft for him, and may his faith accompany him!

Then the Hero Arkadag warmly parted with the event participants and left the venue.

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Yesterday, a sadaqat was also given in the mosque in Koshi in memory of the deceased head of friendly state. The event participants offered prayers for the late President of the UAE, who made a huge contribution to the expansion of bilateral relations and, generally, to strengthening peace, stable development in the region, to rest in peace in paradise.

Currently, our country pays great attention to issues related to the careful preservation of spiritual values handed down to us by our ancestors, the observance of ancient traditions, customs and rites. A special attention is given to charity actions. This is a striking illustration of great importance being attached today to the development of noble principles which could be traced back to the thousand-year history.

During the Friday prayer that took place in the mosque in Koshi, prayers were offered for the prosperity of the independent Homeland, wellbeing and happy life of the Turkmen people, strengthening peace and promoting sustainable development on Earth.

It also became evidence of great respect and honoring by the Hajji Arkadag and the head of state of figures that made a significant contribution to the development of effective cooperation with Turkmenistan, strengthening the friendship of our peoples.

At the same time, a commemoration event was held at the “Döwletller Köşgi” Palace, where a repast was given from the author’s fees of the Hajji Arkadag for the fundamental literary works he had created.

This fact is as a vivid example of close attention to the education of the younger generation, involved in such events, in the spirit of respect for the noble traditions of mercy and charity.

The funeral repast participants at the “Döwletller Köşgi” Palace expressed deep gratitude to the Hero Arkadag and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for organizing such significant actions.

The funeral repasts that have been given today are another confirmation of a very responsible approach to such important public events.