There was also intensive coverage of Yamani’s death in local Saudi newspapers. Yamani, who was information minister for eight years from 1976 to 1983, was a leading intellectual and writer of many Islamic books in Arabic and English.

Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja said the news of Yamani’s death is sad, and that he has lost a friend and brother. He added that Yamani devoted his life to serving Islam.

“He spent his life doing charity work. There has been no charity work that has not included the name of Muhammad Abdu Yamani. He committed his writing to defending Islam. He served his country and his religion with strong devotion. He is a symbol of charity work and will be remembered for that,” he said.

Amin Attas, head of the charity society in Makkah, said: “The last time I heard his voice was on Monday. He called me to ask about the people in the charity homes. He asked me to enquire about elderly people in the charity home saying they might need something. He asked me to check and I did. He sent supplies to them. He was trying to follow what they needed until the day he died. The old people at the shelter homes asked him to supply them with handles on walls to help them stand and walk.”

Attas added that Yamani’s charity work is visible even outside the Kingdom and that he has known him for over 60 years.

Abdullah Dahlan said that Yamani was a pioneer in social work and devoted his life to humanitarian work. “I knew him when we were students in Makkah. He was dedicated. I have never seen such an official dedicated to work. His death will leave a vacuum and he will be remembered forever,” he said.

Osama Al-Sebaie, former editor in chief of Al-Madinah newspaper, said the news of Yamani’s death has left him deeply saddened and that he was one of his best friends. “He devoted his life supporting the youth, to charity, helping youth to get married and paying off people’s debts,” he said, adding that he always defended Islam when he appeared on television, and was very polite with everyone.