President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to convey their condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on 23 January 2015. The texts of their respective letters are appended.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
23 JANUARY 2015
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Condolence Letter from President Tony Tan Keng Yam
23 January 2015
His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Your Majesty,
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Throughout his reign, King Abdullah was a beacon of strength in the Middle East region, and a wise leader who devoted his energies to the welfare and long-term development of his people. King Abdullah was also a firm believer in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and understanding. The King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) established by King Abdullah has played an important role against the backdrop of extremist viewpoints.
In addition, King Abdullah strongly emphasised the importance of education. The impact of the King Abdullah Scholarship Programme will be felt by generations of Saudis to come. I was personally honoured to have met King Abdullah in 2009 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) founded by King Abdullah, which I believe will contribute to the promotion of scientific knowledge and innovation for many years to come.
On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to Your Majesty, the Al Saud family and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on your great loss.
Yours Sincerely,
TONY TAN KENG YAM
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Condolence Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
23 January 2015
Your Majesty,
On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Singapore, I extend with deepest sorrow to Your Majesty my most sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
King Abdullah was a pillar of strength for many years in a region which has seen conflicts and tensions. His wise leadership ensured stability and progress for the people of Saudi Arabia. His emphasis on education, for example the establishment of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, was a testimony to his vision to develop the human resource potential of all his people.
I was honoured to be received by King Abdullah during my visit to the Kingdom in November 2006. I remember well the gracious hospitality which he accorded to me, as well as the free conversation we had together with several of his Ministers. I remain grateful for King Abdullah’s continuous support of closer relations between our countries during his reign, including the conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Singapore. He will be dearly missed within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and around the world.
Please accept, Your Majesty, the sincere assurances of my highest consideration.
With deepest sympathies
Yours sincerely
LEE HSIEN LOONG
His Majesty King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia