Muslim Leaders Mourn Queen Elizabeth II's Death

– Condolences from across the Middle East after the death of the monarch

Muslim leaders and royals in the Middle East  have sent condolences to the United Kingdom's royal family over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who had many connections in the region. 

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II, describing her as ‘a long and steadfast friend to Saudi Arabia’.

The embassy, on behalf of the Saudi people, expressed its deepest condolences to the British Royal family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on the passing of the Queen.

“Her Majesty was a long and steadfast friend to KSA, and she will long be remembered for her endless service to her country and her people,” the embassy said in a tweet.

Also, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan called the queen a "close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country".

Sheikh Tamim al-Thani, the leader of Qatar, said: "Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the British people over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which with her loss the world has lost a great human symbol."

In 1979, the queen visited Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman during a trip to the Gulf.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik called the queen "a close friend of Oman [who] contributed to strengthening the close bilateral relations between Oman and the UK".

The queen also hosted many Middle Eastern leaders. On one visit in 2003, Elizabeth drove Saudi King Abdullah around Balmoral. The king, according to a former UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia, asked the queen to "slow down and concentrate on the road". 

Jordan's King Abdullah II said: "Jordan mourns the passing of an iconic leader. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades."

He called the queen "a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend", adding, "we stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time".

Abdullah's mother was British, and the king was educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. He declared a seven-day period of mourning across Jordan.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi tweeted: "I offer my sincere condolences, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Egypt, to the Royal Family, the British Government and the people of the United Kingdom, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country for decades with great wisdom."