In a statement released on Thursday, Azhar asserted that Al Mahdi was a prominent Sudanese intellectual and a defender of Sudan's causes. He was a wise man and characterized with tolerance and patriotism.

Azhar offered its condolences to the Sudanese people and government and Al Mahdi's family over his death.

Sadiq al-Mahdi, Sudan’s last democratically elected prime minister and leader of the country's largest political party, died of COVID-19 Thursday in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates, his party said. He was 84.

Al-Mahdi was taken to Abu Dhabi for treatment in early November. His body was expected to arrive in Sudan for burial Friday morning, the National Ummah Party tweeted. It had announced al-Mahdi tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct. 29