President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has mourned Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, who passed away on Wednesday.
The Presidential Court issued the following obituary: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful… With hearts faithful to God’s decree and destiny, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns his uncle, His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, who passed away today.”
The Presidential Court declared official mourning with flags flown at half-mast for a period of seven days starting from Wednesday, May 1.
About Sheikh Tahnoun
Sheikh Tahnoun previously held the positions of Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. He was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Vice Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council.
In November 2018, the road between Al Ain and Dubai was renamed in his honour.
Sheikh Tahnoun is the brother-in-law of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan through the marriage of his sister, Sheikha Hessa, to Sheikh Zayed.
He was a close companion of the late Sheikh Zayed and gained valuable experience and knowledge from the founding father. Sheikh Tahnoun was well-versed in the affairs of Al Ain and its people, having served as the Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region (now Al Ain). He was one of the men in whom late Sheikh Zayed placed absolute trust. Sheikh Zayed appointed him to his first official position on September 11, 1966, as Chairman of the Department of Agriculture and Chairman of Al Ain Municipality, just one month after Sheikh Zayed assumed power in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Tahnoun played a pivotal role in the establishment of the UAE. He worked closely with Sheikh Zayed on the sincere efforts that culminated in the declaration of the Union on December 2, 1971. Prior to the Union, he served as Minister of Municipalities and Agriculture from July 1, 1971. He was also appointed Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi on August 9 of the same year.
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