Written by Zahra Baqer
Manama, September 9 (BNA) Bahrain mourns the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, along with His Majesty the King, His Highness the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Shura Council, with the flags lowered at half-mast. Sending condolences to the UK, and people taking to social media to share their grief over the Queen’s death.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed his sincere condolences to King Charles III, members of the royal family and the people of Britain on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In a cable of condolence, His Majesty the King praised the exemplary reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her immeasurable contribution to deepening and strengthening relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom.
His Majesty King Hamad stressed that the world has lost a source of inspiration and strength, and everyone will lose its wisdom and humanity.
As a sign of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty the King ordered flags to be lowered to half mast for three days.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, praised, in a telegram of condolences, the life of Queen Elizabeth II in the service of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth countries and their peoples.
His Highness referred to the contribution of Her Majesty the Queen in strengthening the close and distinguished relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom and their peoples.
His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, published on his account on Instagram, “Rest in Peace, His Majesty the King,” a post that won the admiration of thousands of followers.
He also wrote: “Our deepest condolences for the loss of Her Majesty the Queen – a wonderful human being who loved and served her country so well.”
Parliament Speaker Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal said that Bahrain “recalls the distinguished qualities of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who for decades represented a global symbol and a reference for her nation, her people and the world in human values, tolerance and love, and won the respect of the world.”
In her condolences, she said, “The Kingdom of Bahrain has lost a great leader who had a prominent role and a permanent interest in consolidating the historical friendship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom.”
The Speaker of the Shura Council, Ali Saleh Al-Saleh, recalled the distinguished efforts of the late Queen and her great contributions to the development of the United Kingdom over seven decades.
He praised her sincere efforts to consolidate the historical relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom and to strengthen the bonds of long-term friendship between them.
The Bahrain Embassy in the United Kingdom posted on its Twitter account, “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.”
Alongside a black and white photo of the Queen, the embassy tweeted, “On behalf of the Bahraini people, we extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom for their countless loss.”
The UK Embassy in Bahrain said that the British Embassy’s General Book of Condolences will be open daily from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 September (excluding weekends) from 10am to 2pm.
The UK Embassy said an online book of condolences is also available at http://royal.uk.
The death of Her Majesty the Queen dominated the front pages of Bahrain’s daily newspapers in both Arabic and English, recalling her visit to Manama in February 1979.
The Daily Tribune has a front page headline ‘End of an Era’ dedicated to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, with extensive coverage of international backlash and a small album of photos of the Queen through that time.
The “Gulf Daily News” reported that “relations between Bahrain and the United Kingdom go back more than 200 years and that these ties have strengthened over time, no more than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.”
And the newspaper said: “Recently, His Majesty the King extended a personal invitation to His Majesty King Hamad to attend the 2022 Royal Windsor Horse Show.”
Pictures of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with His Majesty King Hamad have been published in newspapers to show the close and special relations between the two kingdoms and how the two kings have contributed to the strong relationship.
Newspapers also published on their websites pictures of being lowered at half mast above buildings across Bahrain.
Many Bahrainis have taken to social media to share their feelings about the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, recalling her visit to Bahrain, the Bahraini pearl earrings she had, and her cordial meetings with His Majesty King Hamad.