Former Qatar leader Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passes away at 74

The former leader of Qatar, Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, passed away on Sunday, July 12.

In a statement, the Amiri Diwan announced the visionary Emir passed away on the morning of July 12, corresponding to 27 Muharram 1448 AH, at the age of 74.

Funeral prayers for Sheikh Hamad are set to take place after Maghrib prayer on Sunday, July 12, at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mosque, after which his body will be laid to rest in the Lusail Cemetery.

The Gulf state announced a four-day mourning period, with flags set to be flown at half-mast during this time.

The late leader — known for transforming Qatar into a regional powerhouse from its Bedouin background — had served from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, when he handed the throne to his fourth son, the current Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sheikh Hamad had elevated Qatar’s global profile through the development of the Al Jazeera television network, as well as its bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup tournament.

During his 18-year rule, several major events including the 2006 Asian Games, 2012 UN Climate Change Conference, Doha Agreement and Fatah–Hamas Doha Agreement, took place in the country.

Rise to power

Sheikh Hamad inherited a small, largely marginal emirate with nearly empty coffers and transformed it into a major player on the regional and international stage.

Within a few years, he laid the foundations for Qatar’s rapid development. Although the country is only about one-third the size of Belgium, it possesses one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves.

Thanks to investments and international partnerships, the emirate became a leading producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas. 

It also rose to become one of the wealthiest countries on the planet in terms of GDP per capita. Qatar’s population under Sheikh Hamad’s rule numbered barely two million, the majority of them foreign nationals.

The Qatar Investment Authority was established with the aim of investing billions of dollars, particularly abroad, in companies including German automaker Volkswagen, London’s luxury department store Harrods, and French football club Paris Saint-Germain.

Under his reign, Qatar began paying hundreds of millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip, notably funding road projects along the coast. A hospital in Gaza City bears his name.

Qatar is one of the smallest Arab states with a population of around 3 million. The country was a British protectorate for 55 years until 1971.

It has been ruled by a monarchy, the Al Thani family, since the mid-19th century.

Condolences pour in from the UAE

Condolences poured in from UAE leaders, who mourned the loss of the neighbouring country’s late visionary leader.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan offered his condolences, praying for the the former Emir in the hereafter.

“Heartfelt sympathy to my brother Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to the brotherly Qatari people on the passing of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy, to admit him into the spacious gardens of Paradise, and to inspire his noble family and the brotherly Qatari people with patience and solace.”

Meanwhile, the advisor to the UAE President, Anwar Gargash, called Sheikh Hamad’s leadership an “exceptional role in Qatar’s renewed renaissance”.

“Our deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to Qatar, its leadership and people, on the passing of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The deceased played a historic and exceptional role in Qatar’s renewed renaissance and in consolidating its position and status. We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy and to dwell him in the spacious gardens of Paradise. Indeed, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, called his passing a “collective loss”.

“Sincere condolences to my brother, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the fraternal Qatari people on the passing of their dear departed and our collective loss, the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani… May God have mercy on him, grant him wide expanses of His Paradise, inspire the people of Qatar and all his loved ones with patience and solace, and indeed to God we belong and to Him we shall return,” wrote the Dubai Ruler.

UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan prayed for patience and solace for the late Qatari leader’s family.

“Our condolences to our brothers in Qatar.. to my brother His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and to the esteemed Al Thani family, on the passing of the late, God willing, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.. We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy, and to inspire his family, relatives, and the fraternal Qatari people with patience and solace.”

Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan also offered his condolences to the current Emir over the demise.

“We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to my brother Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to the esteemed Al Thani family, and to the brotherly Qatari people, on the passing of the late — may God have mercy on him — His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani… We ask God to envelop him in His vast mercy, to admit him to the expanses of His gardens, and to inspire his noble family and loved ones with patience and solace. May God magnify your reward, O people of Qatar, and verily to God we belong and to Him we shall return.”

Sharjah’s Ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, along with other officials from the emirate sent messages of condolences to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the passing.

With inputs from AFP