On 3 September 2016, the nation of Uzbekistan was shrouded in deep grief and sorrow as they bade farewell to Islam Abduganiyevich Karimov, their first president of 25 years at a state funeral ceremony held in Samarkand, the city he was born. The late president died on 2 September 2016 after a stroke at the age of 78.
H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Nor’Aini Abd Hamid travelled with other Uzbekistan’s senior government officials, foreign heads of mission and representatives of international organizations by train to Samarkand to attend the mourning and memorial ceremony at the International Forum Palace. In line with the Muslim rites, the prayer was held in the Tilloqori Madrasah, within the Registon complex and the body was later laid to rest in the area within Hazrati Hizir mosque, close to Shahi Zinda cemetery, where his parents’ graves were also there. After the services, H.E. Ambassador paid her condolences, on behalf of the Government and peoples of Malaysia, to Madame Tatyana Karimova, widow of the late president and daughter, Mrs. Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva. The country declared a three day mourning as a tribute to the loss of their first president and flags were flown at half-mast within Uzbekistan and at all its Missions abroad.
On Sunday, 4 September 2016, H.E. Ambassador Dato’ Nor’Aini Abd Hamid signed the condolence book on the passing away of the late President Karimov at the Senate in Tashkent. After paying her respect, H.E. Ambassador personally conveyed condolence messages to the Chairman of the Senate, Prime Minister and other Cabinet Members present at the Senate. The public also had the opportunity to pay their last respect at the same venue.