KUWAIT CITY, Dec 17: On Sunday, the people of Kuwait were enveloped in grief as they paid heartfelt tributes to the late Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The usual hustle and bustle of the start of the week came to a standstill, and the roads, typically congested with traffic, were notably sparse. The entire country was filled with sorrow and sadness, leading to the closure of businesses, schools, and government facilities.

Amid this somber atmosphere, the newly-appointed Amir, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, participated in prayers for the departed at Bilal bin Rabah Mosque in the Al-Siddeeq district. Accompanied by Sheikhs and senior officials, the Amir, visibly affected by grief, joined the congregation. Following the prayers, the coffin, draped in the green-black-white-red Kuwait Flag, was carried by uniformed elite personnel, and the procession, led by His Highness Sheikh Mishal, proceeded to the cemetery. The newly-appointed Amir displayed a palpable sorrow as he sat in his vehicle, while the coffin was transported in a large dark-colored Amiri Diwan vehicle.

At the cemetery, several Sheikhs participated in the burial, observed by a crowd of tearful mourners. The sorrowful event was witnessed not only by many Kuwaiti citizens but also by people abroad, as it was broadcast live on television.

In response to Sheikh Nawaf's passing, Kuwait declared a three-day shutdown of businesses and facilities, along with 40 days of mourning. The audio-video media suspended regular programming, dedicating airtime to continuously broadcast Quranic verses. Yesterday, following the sorrowful announcement of Sheikh Nawaf's death, Sheikh Mishal, the Crown Prince, was officially declared the new Amir of the State of Kuwait, becoming the 17th ruler of the North Gulf country.