Qatar bids farewell to former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Qatar has laid to rest former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, whose leadership transformed the country into one of the world’s richest and most influential nations. Sheikh Hamad passed away at the age of 74 and was buried in Doha after funeral prayers attended by members of the ruling family, senior government officials and thousands of mourners from across the country.

Funeral prayers were offered after the Maghrib prayer at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab Mosque. Following the prayers, Sheikh Hamad’s body was carried by close family members, including his son and current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, before being taken to Lusail Cemetery for burial. The funeral followed Islamic traditions and was held with simplicity and dignity.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until 2013 and is widely credited with transforming the small Gulf nation into a major economic and diplomatic power. During his time in office, Qatar made full use of its vast natural gas reserves and became the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas by 2006. The country’s economy expanded rapidly, with national income increasing many times over during his 18 years in power.

His leadership also strengthened Qatar’s position on the international stage. Under Sheikh Hamad, Doha became an important centre for diplomacy and mediation, hosting negotiations and helping resolve conflicts involving countries across the Middle East and beyond. Qatar played a role in diplomatic efforts related to Sudan, Lebanon, Palestine, Afghanistan and more recently talks involving the United States and Iran. These initiatives helped establish the country as an influential player in regional and international affairs.

At home, Sheikh Hamad introduced several important reforms that shaped modern Qatar. His government adopted the country’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and introduced municipal elections that allowed women to vote and contest seats. His administration also invested heavily in education, healthcare, transport and public infrastructure, laying the foundation for the country’s long term development.

One of Sheikh Hamad’s most significant achievements was the launch of Al Jazeera in 1996. The television network grew into one of the world’s leading international news organisations and changed the media landscape across the Arab world by expanding regional news coverage and international reporting.

His long term vision also contributed to Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament was widely seen as the result of years of planning, investment and development that began during his time as emir. Hosting the event brought worldwide attention to Qatar and highlighted the country’s rapid transformation over the past three decades.

In 2013, Sheikh Hamad made the rare decision to voluntarily hand over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The peaceful transfer of authority was considered unusual in the Gulf region and ensured political stability while allowing a new generation of leadership to guide the country.

Leaders from around the world have continued to pay tribute to Sheikh Hamad following his death. Many praised his role in reshaping Qatar’s economy, strengthening its diplomatic influence and promoting development at home. His legacy is expected to remain a defining chapter in Qatar’s modern history, with many of the institutions and policies introduced during his rule continuing to shape the country’s future.