Emiratis from across the country are mourning death of one of the oldest and closest friends of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Zultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's Founding Father.

Sheikh Mubarak bin Qarran Al Mansoori, who was also one of the closest advisors of Sheikh Zayed, died on Monday. He was 79.

Expressing his grief, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, called him "loyal" and "great" figure, and a close "companion" of the UAE's Founding Father.

In a tweet, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said Sheikh Al Mansoori shared good opinions, as well as great wisdom.

Born in 1939 in the Area of Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Al Mansoori accompanied the late Sheikh Zayed during his younger years.

Last year, Sheikh Al Mansoori was honoured at the Abu Dhabi Awards, which described him as: "An up-close observer of Zayed's era, he witnessed the ambition and efforts of the visionary leader who sought to establish the UAE union."

He worked alongside the Father of the Nation for more than 40 years. He was so pivotal in transforming lives of thousands of people.

During the award ceremony, Al Mansoori had said: "Sheikh Zayed liked to know people's problems and loved listening to people personally so he could help them. He always encouraged me to help people and to continue taking people with various problems to him."

The official site of the Abu Dhabi Awards said he was among the most powerful and influential Emiratis whose achievements are recognised on a national level.

"Al Mansoori closely accompanied Sheikh Zayed throughout his daily life, giving him the opportunity to observe and document the traditions and values of the late Sheikh Zayed, which continue to form the foundation of this modern country."

Thousands of messages, historical photographs and tributes have also poured on social media from members of the community, who showed their condolences for the loss of Sheikh Al Mansoori.

إيمانا بقضاء الله وقدره فقدت الإمارات اليوم رجلاً من رجالاتها الأوفياء ووجها من وجوه الوطن المضيئة .. رحم الله مبارك بن قران المنصوري كان الوفي والمعين والصديق لمؤسس الدولة رفيق دربه ومسيرته.. صاحب الرأي السديد والحكمة الصائبة والمشورة الراجحة .. تغمده الله بواسع رحمته ورضوانه .. pic.twitter.com/gsqLkE1k9i

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) July 2, 2018

One Instagram comment said: "To God we belong and to him we will return."

Another comment read: "May God rest his soul. He was an important figure in the country's history."

Another member said: "May God rest his soul and take him to paradise."

Al Mansoori was the chairman of the Western Region Judicial Department's Conciliation Committee from 2007, and was a member of the National Consultative Council.

Loyal friend, close advisor for 40 years
Sheikh Mubarak bin Qarran Al Mansoori, who was born in 1939 in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, had been serving the nation officially as the chairman of the Western Region Judicial Department's Conciliation Committee from 2007 and as a member of the National Consultative Council, when he died on Monday aged 79.

Born in 1939, Al Mansoori accompanied the late Sheikh Zayeed, the Father of the nation, wherever he went, for 40 years..

In 2017, when the nation honoured one of its influential citizen with an award, Al Mansoori said: "I am so happy to receive this award. I thank Allah for this honour. I'm sure my great friend Sheikh Zayed would be happy seeing me receiving this award."

Expressing his grief, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, tweeted: "By Allah's will, the UAE today lost one of its most loyal men, and one of the faces of the nation. May Allah have mercy on the soul of Mubarak bin Qarran Al Mansoori, who was a loyal and a close adviser and friend to the Founder of the Nation."

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