King Salman and the Crown Prince send condolences to Yemen following the death of former President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Condolences from Saudi Leadership

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, offered their condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Yemen on the death of former President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Text of the Statement from the Royal Court

A statement issued yesterday (Thursday) by the Royal Court clarified that King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman received the news of the death with deep sorrow and great grief, and they prayed to God to grant the deceased vast mercy and to admit him into His spacious paradise.

Condolences and Sympathy

The statement added that the two leaders expressed their deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of the deceased and to the government and people of the sisterly Republic of Yemen.

Affirmation of Support for Yemen and a Call for Security and Stability

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people’s solidarity with the Republic of Yemen and its people, sharing their feelings of grief and pain. They asked God Almighty to grant the family of the deceased and the brotherly Yemeni people patience and solace, and to perpetuate security and stability for the Republic of Yemen and its sisterly people. They concluded by saying: “To God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

The title “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques” refers to the ruler of Saudi Arabia, who serves as the official protector and caretaker of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Historically, the title was first used by Saladin in the 12th century and later revived by King Fahd in 1986 to replace “His Majesty,” emphasizing the king’s religious role. It symbolizes the kingdom’s deep connection to Islam and its responsibility to oversee the holiest sites for Muslims worldwide.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a vast Middle Eastern nation founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz Al Saud, uniting the regions of Hejaz and Nejd. It is the birthplace of Islam and home to its two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, making it a central site for Islamic pilgrimage. Historically an oil-rich monarchy, it has recently pursued major social and economic reforms under Vision 2030 to diversify its economy and modernize society.

Republic of Yemen

The Republic of Yemen is a country in the Arabian Peninsula with a rich history as a center of ancient trade, including the famed Kingdom of Sheba. Its modern history saw unification in 1990 between North and South Yemen, but it has since endured political instability and a devastating civil war beginning in 2014. Despite its challenges, Yemen is home to remarkable cultural heritage, including the old city of Sana’a and the port of Aden.

Grand Mosque in Mecca

The Grand Mosque, or Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in Islam, encompassing the Kaaba, towards which Muslims worldwide pray. Its history dates back to the time of Prophet Abraham and Ishmael, who are believed to

Grand Mosque in Mecca

The Grand Mosque, or Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the holiest site in Islam, surrounding the Kaaba, which Muslims worldwide face during prayer. Its history dates back to the time of the Prophet Abraham and Ishmael, who are believed to have built the Kaaba, and it has been expanded and renovated over centuries by various Islamic rulers. The mosque can accommodate millions of worshippers, especially during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is one of the most significant sites in Islam, originally built by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE shortly after his migration from Mecca. It served as both a religious center and a community hub, and over centuries it has been greatly expanded, notably by the Umayyad and Ottoman caliphs, and most recently by the Saudi government. Today, it houses the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad and is a major pilgrimage destination, second only to the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Mecca

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, located in western Saudi Arabia. It is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, a sacred structure within the Masjid al-Haram mosque that Muslims face during prayer. Historically, Mecca has been a major center of trade and pilgrimage for centuries, and today it is the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty required of all able-bodied Muslims.

Medina

Medina, in Saudi Arabia, is the second holiest city in Islam, after Mecca. It is revered as the city where the Prophet Muhammad migrated in 622 CE, an event known as the Hijra, and where he established the first Muslim community. The city is home to the Prophet’s Mosque, which contains his tomb, making it a major pilgrimage site for Muslims worldwide.

Kingdom of Sheba

The Kingdom of Sheba was an ancient South Arabian kingdom, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran, known for its wealth, trade in spices and gold, and its legendary Queen of Sheba. Its exact location is debated, but it is commonly associated with modern-day Yemen and possibly parts of Ethiopia. The kingdom thrived from around the 10th century BCE to the 1st century CE, playing a key role in the incense trade routes of the ancient world.

Old city of Sana’a

The Old City of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history spanning over 2,500 years. It is renowned for its unique architectural heritage, featuring towering, decorated mud-brick buildings and over 100 mosques, including the Great Mosque of Sana’a. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city’s historic core has survived for centuries, though it faces ongoing threats from conflict and neglect.

Port of Aden

The Port of Aden is a historic natural harbor located in Yemen, strategically situated along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It has been a crucial trading hub for centuries, serving as a key stop on the ancient incense route and later as a major coaling station for the British Empire during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the port remains an important economic asset for Yemen, though its operations have been impacted by the country’s ongoing conflict.

Kaaba

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building located in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and is the holiest site in Islam. According to Islamic tradition, it was originally built by the Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael as a house of monotheistic worship, and it has been a focal point for pilgrimage for centuries. Today, Muslims around the world face the Kaaba during their daily prayers, and it is the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage, which every able-bodied Muslim is required to undertake at least once in their lifetime.