The body of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz is carried during his funeral at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque, in Riyadh January 23, 2015. Photo: Reuters

The government today announced a one-day national mourning for Saturday to pay homage to Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The national flag will fly at half-mast at all offices of the government, semi-government and autonomous bodies during the period, Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told The Daily Star Online.

Special prayers will be held for the King but offices and schools will function normally, the cabinet secretary added.

President Abdul Hamid will fly to Saudi Arabia tomorrow morning to offer state condolences and attend the funeral of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

He along with entourage members will leave Dhaka for Riyadh in a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, president’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told The Daily Star this evening.

Earlier in the day, the president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their profound shock at the death of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In a condolence message, the president prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of the Saudi King.

He conveyed his deep sympathy for the bereaved royal family members.

Meanwhile in a statement carried by the state television said King Abdullah aged 91 died at 1:00am Saudi time (2200 GMT) today.

His brother Prince Salman became the next Saudi king, said the statement.

"His Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the death of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1 am this morning," said the statement.

Sheikh Hasina today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

"I, on behalf of the people and the Government of Bangladesh, and on my own behalf, express to you and through you to the brotherly people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia our deepest condolences at the sad demise of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud," she said in a message sent to new Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has been appointed the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the death of Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz.

Sheikh Hasina said: "The people of Bangladesh join me in conveying their sadness and share in grief of the esteemed Royal family as well as the fraternal people of the Kingdom."

The Prime Minister said at the passing away of King Abdullah, while Bangladesh has lost one of her great caring brothers and generous well-wishers, the Muslim Ummah has lost its guardian and the world has lost a great leader."The loss is irreparable," she said.

"We the people of Bangladesh pray to the Almighty Allah for His mercy on the late King and for eternal peace of his departed soul. May Almighty Allah bestow courage and fortitude to the bereaved members of the esteemed Royal family and the brotherly people of the Kingdom to bear this great loss," she added.

Meanwhile, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad today expressed deep shock at the death of Abdullah.

In a condolence message, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury said "Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was a real friend of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has lost its tested friend due to his death."

The Speaker prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul and conveyed her deep sympathy to the royal family members.

Terming the deceased Saudi King as the friend in need of Bangladesh, Deputy Speaker M Fazley Rabbi Mia said in a condolence message that Bangladesh lost its friend due to his death.

The loss due to the death of the Saudi King would never be fulfilled, said Deputy Speaker in his message.

In another condolence message, Chief Whip ASM Firoz said the death of Saudi King is an irreparable loss for Bangladesh as he was a real friend of Bangladesh.