PHOTOS: Simple burial for late Saudi King

       
By ‘Dayo Showemimo

(THe was however buried according to Islamic rites in a simple white shroud in an unmarked grave in a Riyadh cemetery called ‘Al Oud’. Photo: Reuters)

The late king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah who died on January 23, 2015 at the age of 90, was one of the richest men in the history of the world. He was however buried according to Islamic rites in a simple white shroud in an unmarked grave in a Riyadh cemetery called ‘Al Oud’.

There was no official mourning period in Saudi Arabia and flags around the kingdom all flew at full staff. The funeral was held at 2pm in the afternoon with Muslim leaders, Saudi princes, powerful clerics, world leaders and billionaire Arab businessmen all in attendance.

His body was transported to the mosque in a city ambulance, and was carried through the crowds on a carpet on a simple stretcher, laid in front of the faithful at prayer and then carried by Abdullah’s male relatives to the graveyard, where it was laid in the ground with no ceremony.