Funeral prayers held for former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Funeral prayers for former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani were offered at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque in Doha on Sunday evening, with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani leading the mourners. The ceremony was attended by Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and other dignitaries.

Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. He was one of the key architects of modern Qatar, transforming the small emirate into a major player on the regional and international stage. During his reign, he launched Al Jazeera in 1996 and established the Qatar Investment Authority, which invested billions abroad in companies including Volkswagen, Harrods, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also led Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences, with PM Shehbaz remembering the former emir as “a great leader and statesman whose wisdom, foresight and dedication to public service transformed Qatar into a modern, prosperous and globally respected nation.”

The Qatari government has announced several days of public mourning, with government offices closed and flags flown at half-mast. The funeral prayers were attended by a large number of mourners, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for Sheikh Hamad’s legacy. His death marks the end of an era for Qatar, as the nation mourns the loss of a leader who played a pivotal role in shaping its modern identity and global standing.