Former first lady Rukia Dahir dies in Canada
Rukia Moallim Dahir, mother of current Somali Prime Minister and wife to late President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke died in Canada after illness.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud sent his condolences to Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid and other family members over the death of Rukia.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of her death. May Allah grant her place in paradise, and give her family members including Prime Minister Omar patience to cope with this tragic loss,” said President Hassan in a press statement.
He commended the deceased lady as ‘a national symbol’.
“She was not only a mother of Prime Minister Abdirashid, but also the first lady and wife of late president Abdirashid Ali, so her death has touched all of us.”
Other officials including deputy prime minister Mohamed Omar Arta and parliament speaker Mohamed Jawari condoled with prime minister Omar over the death of his mother.
