There's sad news out of the UAE today.
Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the mother of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the President of the UAE, and the first wife of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, founding President of the UAE, has passed away.
News of her passing was announced by The Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and a statement was issued about the occurence: "In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, with the hearts of believers in the judgment of God and his destiny.
"His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, mourns the death of Her Highness the late Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, who moved on to her Lord today."
The Ministry declared a three-day-long mourning period in the country beginning on Sunday morning.
Sheikh Mo also acknowledged Sheikha Hessa's passing, Tweeting a message of condolences in Arabic to his nearly nine million followers.
"My sincere condolences to my brother Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the death of Her Highness Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Tweet read.
"Our condolences to the entire Al Nahyan family, to the people of the UAE and to every lover of the UAE and its President," he continued.
خالص العزاء والمواساة لأخي رئيس الدولة صاحب السمو الشيخ خليفة بن زايد آل نهيان في وفاة والدته سمو الشيخة حصة بنت محمد آل نهيان .. وعزاؤنا لعموم آل نهيان ولشعب الامارات الكريم .. ولكل محب للامارات ولرئيسها .. انا لله وانا اليه راجعون
- HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 28, 2018