Qatar Buries Father Emir Sheikh Hamad, Who Died at 74 After Transforming the State
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 12
Qatar Buries Father Emir Sheikh Hamad, Who Died at 74 After Transforming the State
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 12
Summary
Doha held a simple sunset funeral for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, with his son Emir Sheikh Tamim among relatives carrying the body from the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque.
Lusail Cemetery received the former ruler after prayers, in a modest burial that mourners and observers said reflected his personal style despite the vast wealth accumulated under his rule.
From 1995 to 2013, Sheikh Hamad drove Qatar’s rise as GDP expanded more than 24-fold and the country became the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter by 2006.
His legacy also includes launching Al Jazeera in 1996, introducing Qatar’s first permanent constitution in 2004 and handing power to Tamim in 2013 in a rare Gulf abdication.
That transformation helped turn Qatar into a global player whose influence now spans mediation efforts, including current US-Iran tensions, and high-profile events such as the 2022 World Cup.
He made Qatar a diplomatic heavyweight. Will his death diminish Qatar's influence on the world stage?
Sheikh Hamad built an LNG empire. Can Qatar now fend off rising competition from the United States?
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (1995–2026): Legacy, Succession, and the Future of Modern Qatar
Overview
On July 12, 2026, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar, passed away at age 74, as announced by state media and the Amiri Diwan, who expressed deep sorrow. Widely recognized for his transformative leadership, Sheikh Hamad elevated Qatar’s global role in diplomacy, media, and investment, and made history by voluntarily abdicating power to his son. While the official announcement did not disclose the cause of death, it followed years of reported poor health. His passing marks the end of an era for a visionary leader who reshaped Qatar’s identity and influence on the world stage.