The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad bin Ameen Madani expressed his heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand and conveyed his deepest sympathies to the members of the Royal family on the passing away of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Madani said that in his death, the world had lost a great leader and the Kingdom of Thailand had lost a revered monarch, who was a symbol of unity and stability for his country. He also expressed hope that the people of Thailand would turn their grief into strength and would continue to follow the path of care, welfare and human values shown by late King Bhumibol during his 70 years of rule. King Bhumibol, also known as King Rama IX, passed away at the age of 88 on 13 October Thursday at a hospital in Bangkok. The Kingdom of Thailand is an observer state in the OIC.