Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has been laid to rest with state honors in the capital, Doha. He was buried at the Lusail Cemetery after a funeral prayer at Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha after Maghrib prayers on Sunday (July 12). He was 74 years old at the time of his death.
The Emiri Diwan of Qatar confirmed his death on Sunday morning, but no official information was given about the cause of death. The country’s current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani carried his father’s body on his shoulders with family members at the funeral. The event, which was held with state honors, followed simple Islamic rituals.
Sheikh Hamad led Qatar for 18 years after coming to power in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2013, he voluntarily handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, in a rare move in the Arab world.
Under his leadership, Qatar became one of the richest and most influential countries in the world. He developed a natural gas-based economy and transformed the country into the world’s top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). At the same time, the foundation for Qatar’s active role in international diplomacy was also laid during his tenure.
One of Sheikh Hamad’s most important contributions was the establishment of Al Jazeera in 1996. In addition, reform measures such as the enactment of Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004, the introduction of municipal elections, and ensuring women’s right to vote and participate in elections were also notable achievements of his reign.
The global stature that Qatar achieved by hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first country in the Middle East, was also built on Sheikh Hamad’s long-term development and investment policies. He is remembered as one of the main architects of modern Qatar for his contributions to the political, economic and media sectors.