DOHA: Qatar’s former leader and Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has passed away at the age of 74, the country’s Amiri Diwan announced on Sunday morning. In an official statement published on social media, the Emir’s office expressed profound grief, mourning the great loss to the nation.
Ruling Qatar from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, Sheikh Hamad is widely regarded as the chief architect of modern Qatar. Over his 18-year reign, he transformed the nation from a quiet Gulf state into a global powerhouse in economics, diplomacy, media, and international investment. Under his leadership, Qatar rapidly expanded its liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, making it one of the wealthiest nations per capita in the world.
Sheikh Hamad was also the visionary behind the launch of the global news network Al Jazeera in 1996 and spearheaded the country’s successful historic bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2013, breaking traditional regional norms, he voluntarily abdicated the throne to hand over power to his fourth son, the current Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Tributes from regional leaders and the international community have begun pouring in, honoring his transformative legacy.
